eGovPad

Open Source in eGov

To be honest and in the middle of writing a number of technology case studies which include urban governments in Europe, I can't see, with the exception of Germany, any real haste in adopting Open Source. Cost remains the driving force and if Microsoft is seen to be more expensive in the long-term than an Open Source alternative, then people are much more prepared to switch allegiance than ever before. However, this has to be balanced with what are perceived as the 'True' costs of change, which in many cases may appear unnattractive in the short term.

Linux and Mac OS in the Federal Enterprise Architecture

It might be that open source faces barriers, but GCN reports that Linux, Mac OS added to Federal Enterprise Architecture platforms. The Office of Management and Budget has added Linux and Mac OS to the list of supporting platforms in the new version of the Technical Reference Model (PDF) of the Federal Enterprise Architecture.

Open Source faces barriers in various Governments

An article in Government Executive describes some of the issues being wrestled with both at the US Federal level and by many other national governments including Korea, South Africa and the EU. Although the title is more pessimistic, perhaps to attract reader attention, the article appears balanced. It breifly talks about some of the legal issues and political pressures that governments face as they move to open source.

I hope that's okay for a first post!