News Switzerland mandates government agencies use open-source software

[Admin]

Switzerland's new law mandates the use of open-source software in the public sector in a push to increase transparency, security, and efficiency of the software it uses.

Switzerland mandates government agencies use open-source software : Read more

 

[CmdrShepard]

Given the history with Crypto AG and their CIA and BND backroom deals which were known to Swiss government that's a smart move if they want to keep their neutrality.

 

[Math Geek]

wonder how much of this is based on the skyhigh costs to run MS windows/office/server software.

i get the rest of it about transparency and such, but the money savings for ditching MS and the other price gougers has to be a nice side effect.

 

[USAFRet]

Just don't do it like Munich.

Either do it, or don't. None of this flip floping.

 

[bit_user]

it requires the source code be released that way “unless the rights of third parties or security-related reasons would exclude or restrict this.”

Well, that's a potentially large exception.

In such cases, what they could theoretically do is have the vendor put the source code in escrow. Then, have whomever the 3rd party is that's holding it do the actual compilation. This would ensure the government is using the actual version for which the source code is stored. You could also define a set of circumstances in which designated individuals can gain limited access to the source code.

 

[Co BIY]

Interesting ideas.

How to get people to invest in the developmental effort without the financial backing. Especially in a highly competitive and high demand area like technology.

Lots of complaints about Microsoft but very few true competitors . Possibly some factors favor a natural monopoly in operating Systems software.