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SA turns back on Microsoft

Feb 22 2007 14:50

Cape Town - South Africa plans to switch all government departments over to open source computer software instead of using Microsoft systems, a cabinet spokesperson said on Thursday.

Themba Maseko told reporters the cabinet would use the open source Linux operating system in a bid to lower administration costs and enhance local IT skills.

Unlike rival Microsoft's proprietary software, the open source operating system works on the principle that software is free and can be modified at no cost by anyone to suit local and specific needs.

The cost implications are considerable in a country struggling to bridge the digital divide, and where a vast majority of the people are computer illiterate.

"This is going to be a long process... What this (open source) initiative is basically trying to streamline (is) our use and development of software in the country," Maseko said.

Maseko said it was too early to provide timeframes for implementing Linux, but by April this year an office would be established by the department of science and technology and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to oversee it.

South Africa joins governments in other emerging markets like Brazil, China, Spain, India and Malaysia in adopting open source software, with proponents of Linux arguing that the free software could help slash the cost of getting computers into schools, homes and community centres.

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Frank Daley
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

Use of the Linux operating system will save the South African Government tens of millions of dollars in annual license fees. There are now a number of powerful tools that provide central management of Linux machines including deployment and ongoing maintenance. Universities and training colleges around the world are now turning out increasing numbers of graduates trained in the use of Linux. Hence the cost of supporting Linux systems is fast moving to a parity with the ongoing support costs of Windows. That leaves savings of tens of millions of dollars, let alone the long-term benefits for South Africas local IT industry.

Dave
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

In response to those lamenting the decision, consider that if the government is making this decision, then they will have the opportunity to select a nationally supported distro. Also, automatic updates can be configured using the rdist facility to keep thousands of systems updated with minimal overhead (just need a master rdist server and someone who knows how to manage it). Also, SA citizens will be have an opportunity to become technically savvy so as to make better, more informed decisions on the pro/cons of different OSs. Since the Shuttleworth foundation supports Ubuntu, that is also a bonus.

CZ
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

the only reason why tech-support costs are so high, is because their are so few consultants, and thats why they can get away with charging so much. Microsoft learnt this, and thats why implemented so many techie training courses like A+, etc. If government puts their money where their mouths are, supply of consultants will meet demand both meet where the price is right.

Ari
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

great to see government going open source, it will provide a boost to our sofware industry, and stop all the licensing fees going out of the country.

NoMore
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

While the "free" claim is overstated, one can see that Fear Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) towards open source is alive and well while reading the comments left by other readers.

Kate
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

Microsoft has an agreement with schools to supply them with their latest software FOR FREE as long as all the schools computers containing the software are registered with them. The argument that using Linux would help slash the cost of getting computers to schools is clearly one made by someone who was totally misinformed or maybe just to ignorant to care.

Eric
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

My primary home desktop and secondary work desktop is Linux. 1.) Try use a webcam with an IM client in Linux? 2.) Patching, my Ubuntu machine as 90MB of patches this week waiting to be installed. 3.) What about central management? 4.) What about resources. I have one GIG of ram and life is slow!! 5.) Linux is not FREE. One has to look at total cost of ownership.

open$ourced
Aug 07 2007 08:54 Report this comment

It is sad to see that our government was misled by the lie of open source being free. Surely they must know that nothing in life is for free, not even software. Did anyone bother to do some proper analysis here? It is common knowledge that open source software come at a premium of high support costs (compared to MS). Why? Because the open source movement is simply put unable to come together on a standardised platform. There must be different flavours to satisfy the software freedom fighters demands. Otherwise they are, God forbid, like Microsoft! And this will always be the Achilles heel. For every flavour there is the more difficult it becomes to support. So well done government: you might have saved a bit on licensing costs, but have a look at your support budget as it will definitely needs adjustment after this decision goes through...


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