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Simon Phipps's personal commentary

Rising Tide

The open source tide continues to rise in europe, even as the forces of closed software meet for their annual gathering in Los Angeles. This time it's a report to the Danish government recommending a positive move towards open source software.

The working group has compiled a detailed analysis of the use of open source software in public administration in Denmark - especially the economic perspectives. The analysis shows that open source software is a viable alternative to the proprietary software.

According to ZDNet UK, the report says:

"It is... not sufficient for us in Denmark to follow Britain and Germany, for example, in merely recommending that open source should be 'considered'. A more active decision must be taken in those areas where there is a de facto monopoly."

and especially recommends proactive switching to OpenOffice.org now that Microsoft Office has stagnated:

The Board recommended that the Danish government take an active role in promoting an open, XML-based alternative for file formats, either by switching to OpenOffice's XML format or launching an EU-wide project to develop a new format.

However, the report recognised that establishing a existing alternative or a new format would be an uphill battle, given that Microsoft Office cannot read OpenOffice documents or other formats. The Board recommended that Denmark begin a series of trials to test the feasibility of introducing open-source software such as OpenOffice.

Extending Shared Source will not be enough to stem this tide - governments want the right to fork as the guarantor of the right to choose again.

posted at 8:19 AM (UK) | |