Snapshots from the Open-Source Front

You might be surprised by which governments are using Linux, then again, maybe you won't be.
[link|http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,101879,00.asp|
Snapshots from the Open-Source Front]
SAN FRANCISCO (06/10/2002) - Government officials the world over are getting drawn into the debate over the relative merits of using open-source software rather than Microsoft's Windows applications and other software developed by vendors who closely guard the intellectual property of their source code. Some countries, such as Germany, have decided to replace Windows and other commercial software products with open-source applications. Other countries remain committed to commercial software, and yet others are straddling the fence. Here are examples of how some countries are dealing with the debate.

Some of the nations wading in the Linux waters are:

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[link|http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,101754,00.asp|
Friendly Linux Alternative to Windows]
Looking for an inexpensive, simple-to-use alternative to the Windows operating system? Linux may leap to mind, but since Corel abandoned its effort, no vendor has concentrated strictly on making Linux friendly enough for newbies. Now, the $30 Desktop/LX distribution from upstart Lycoris demonstrates that Microsoft's monopoly on friendly operating systems for the PC could be coming to a close.

[link|http://ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/18404.html|
Linux Still on the Rise]

It is possible that a clearer view of how much Linux could dominate in the server market will come after July 31st -- Microsoft's deadline for companies to commit to its license plan.

Citing a desire to move away from proprietary software systems, such as those sold by Microsoft, many companies are considering making the jump from using Windows on their servers to running Linux.

Some of the companies and organizations that have already "gone Linux" include Toyota, Home Depot, the U.S. Post Office and Cisco's printing services arm. Government adherents of Linux include Germany and Mexico.

Although there are some potholes in the road to switching from Windows to Linux, companies have found that doing so results in more cost-effective operations and generally is worth the effort.

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