[Solar-general] Fwd: Gobierno de Reino Unido adopta software libre y estándares abiertos

Jue Feb 26 15:36:23 CET 2009

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Alberto Barrionuevo <abarrio en ffii.org>
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:59:00 +0100
Subject: Gobierno de Reino Unido adopta software libre y estándares abiertos
To: networkadmin-commits en llistes.projectes.lafarga.org

Hola,

parece que la crisis y los abultados déficits públicos están favoreciendo la
adopción pública del software libre en el mundo. Ahora ya no se puede
derrochar con tanta alegría y ya cada vez menos gobiernos pueden esconder que
atarse a un proveedor de software privativo es un derroche y un hipoteca a
futuro.

Y básicamente eso es lo que ha anunciado el Gobierno del Reino Unido, uno de
los más acuciados por la crisis en Europa:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7910110.stm
===

UK government backs open source

Open source software allows users to read and alter code

The UK government has said it will accelerate the use of open
source software in public services.
Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source
software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software
such as Windows.
Open source software will be adopted "when it delivers best value for
money", the government said.
It added that public services should where possible avoid being "locked
into proprietary software".
Licenses for the use of open source software are generally free of
charge and embrace open standards, and the code that powers the
programs can be modified without fear of trampling on intellectual
property or copyright.
According to some in the open source industry, the shift from
proprietary standards could save the government £600m a year.
Simon Phipps, chief open source officer for Sun Microsystems, said the
UK government's stance was part of a "global wave" of take up for
open source in governments.

?
Open source can help avoid many of the hidden costs of
proprietary software ?

Steve Shine, Ingres

"We waste a fortune on proprietary computer software because of
paying for licenses and promises up front and not demanding value,"
he said.
Mr Phipps said schools, government departments and public services
would have a "crucial freedom" because of the choice of whether to
pay for support and training when using open source software.
The government's action plan could see a wave of open source
software being deployed in areas such as office applications (word
processing and spreadsheets), document management and database
infrastructure, the backbone of many large-scale IT systems.
'More teeth'
Steve Shine, European vice president of Ingres, an open source
support vendor, said the government's action plan had "more teeth"
than policies being adopted in other countries because the plan was
tied into policies regarding how IT managers procure new software.
He said the move had partly been driven by a series of high-profile IT
failures in recent years that had relied on proprietary software.
He said: "Open source can help avoid many of the hidden costs of
proprietary software such as making organisations re-pay for licenses
if they want to shift use of a particular piece of software from one place
to another.
"This is irrelevant in the open source world."
Announcing an open source and open standards action plan, the
government said it would:
ensure that the government adopts open standards and uses
these to communicate with the citizens and businesses that have
adopted open source solutions
ensure that open source solutions are considered properly and,
where they deliver best value for money are selected for
government business solutions
strengthen the skills, experience and capabilities within
government and in its suppliers to use open source to greatest
advantage
embed an open source culture of sharing, re-use and
collaborative development across government and its suppliers
ensure that systems integrators and proprietary software
suppliers demonstrate the same flexibility and ability to re-use
their solutions and products as is inherent in open source.
Government departments will be required to adopt open source
software when "there is no significant overall cost difference between
open and non-open source products" because of its "inherent
flexibility".
Expected backlash
Mr Phipps and Mr Shine said they expected a backlash from proprietary
software firms.
"I am absolutely certain there have been communications extremely
high-up in proprietary vendors with management high up in
government," said Mr Shine.
Mr Phipps added: "Measured over the short term traditional vendors
will cut prices back, end load contacts and do everything to appear
cheaper.
"But the real value with open source comes from giving users a new
flexibility."
He said the widespread adoption of open source software in public
services could also have a knock on effect to the ordinary consumer.
"It's already happening to significant extent in the UK. Lots of homes
are using Firefox and OpenOffice.org.
"It is becoming acceptable and expected."

===

Saludos,
-- 
Alberto Barrionuevo
Ex President FFII
www.ffii.org
For FFII matters, please, contact to President Benjamin Henrion