Recent OSS in Government Resources

Introduction

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:48

Government is one of the major ICT and software consumers worldwide. Governments typically need to implement large solutions, it is very unusual that will go out of business, and once they choose a supplier, it is unlikely that they will change rapidly..

Government technical departments are by nature risk averse, they are facing two major issues around ICT: growing costs and advocating solutions that are good for the country but not necessarily for vendors.

Open Source Software has been presented as a solution for

Brazil leads OSS adoption in Latin America

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:46

“OSS in Brazil: too many projects to keep with!” (2009)

“The Brazilian free software movement is in such high gear that it is almost impossible to keep up with all the new developments and projects that are happening throughout the country, given the strong support of free software by the Brazilian government at all levels (federal, state and municipal)”, says the electronic publication “north x south: free software news from Latin America”

Venezuela government shifts to OSS

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:45

Highlights of the governments official policy to use OSS software in government.

However, the migration is difficult given the scarcity of OSS experts

Venezuela started to produce its own computer: Bolivarian Computers entered in the market in 2007

Accelerated Adoption for Malaysian Public Sector Open Source Software (OSS) Program

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:42

“Originated from cabinet decision of the Government of Malaysia, the Malaysian Public Sector OSS Master Plan was launched on 16 July 2004 to create and enhance value using OSS within the Public Sector ICT framework in providing efficient, secure and quality services”.

Malaysian Government saves big with Open Source Software

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:41

“According to the Open Source Competency Center (OSSC) of the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) — Malaysia's primary governing body — to-date, Malaysia has saved RM40 million (about $11.2 million) in licensing fees by implementing Open Source Software”. This comment appears in an article from Linux Journal of January 2009, quoted in the site of MAMPU.

The LAMP stack in US Government websites

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:40

An article at Linux Journal explains how since 2004 Linux has made its way into the public sector through initiatives from organisations and individuals. It mentions the OSSI (Open Source Software Initiative) and Government Forge.

New Zealand's Ministry of Justice OSS Discussion Paper

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:40

Authored by Barry Polley in December 2007, it is a very comprehensive document on the adoption of OSS

It includes a summary of of the many benefits of OSS to the Ministry of Justice that could be applied to all ministries.

Open Source Software in New Zealand Government

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:39

The e-government website of New Zealand has a simple statement, which is a more a declaration of intent than anything else: “NZ Government Agencies are encouraged to assess open source software alternatives (where these exist) alongside commercial software, and should choose based on cost, functionality, interoperability, and security”.

Obama designated the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States Government

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:38

After several names have been on the discussion, finally on April 18, 2009 President Obama decided that Aneesh Chopra, Virginia’s Secretary of Technology, will serve as the Chief Technology Officer. “Chopra will promote technological innovation to help the country meet its goals from job creation, to reducing health care costs, to protecting the homeland.

OSSI – Open Source Software for US Government

posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 16:37

“The Open Source Software Institute (OSSI) is a non-profit organization comprised of corporate, government, academic and Open Source Community representatives whose mission is to promote the development and implementation of open-source software solutions within U.S.

Eduforge.org