The number of open source deployments by governments across the world has accelerated over the last few years. To date at least 160 international local and national governments have deployed open source software and over $2bn has been spent on the Linux open source operating system, according to figures from Linux vendor Red Hat. . The use of open source software varies widely between different countries, for example, while the UK government continues to strikes long-term multi-million pound deals with proprietary giant Microsoft, the French are enthusiastically adopting open source software in both national and local government agencies. Outside the Western world, where cost becomes more of an issue, it might be expected that open source software would be more popular. While this is the case to some extent – it's not that clear cut. The Brazilian federal government is issuing policies strongly in favour of open source, but other countries have signed sweeping deals with Microsoft, such as the Eastern European state of Macedonia. Deciding what lies at the heart of some countries almost zealous uptake of open source is not a simple as looking at the cold hard costs – politics, national security, anti-Americanism and innovation all have a part to play. The link for this article located at ZDNet is no longer available. . The use of open source software varies widely between different countries, for example, while the UK. number, source, deployments, governments, across, world, accelerated. . Brittany Day
Leaders of several major open-source projects have joined George Washington University's Cyber Security Policy and Research Institute to push for greater government use of the Linux operating system.. . .. Leaders of several major open-source projects have joined George Washington University's Cyber Security Policy and Research Institute to push for greater government use of the Linux operating system. Among the well-known people that have promised to help the institute are Brian Behlendorf, a founder of the Apache Web server project; Miguel de Icaza, founder of the GNOME desktop system; Hans Reiser, creator of the widely used Reiser file system; and Jeffrey Bates, a founder of the Web site Slashdot. "They are reinforcing what we are doing and we are reinforcing what they are doing," said Tony Stanco, associate director for open source and e-government at the Cyber Security Policy and Research Institute. "For us, they are the voice of open source. There are a few others that we might be looking for but (these ones) are the thought leaders." The link for this article located at ZDNet is no longer available. . Pioneers in prominent open-source initiatives support the notion of greater governmental utilization of Linux to bolster cybersecurity efforts.. open source leaders, Linux government policy, cybersecurity collaboration, open-source projects. . Anthony Pell
It's free, it's becoming more secure, and it's even the dirty little secret among some computer geeks who work in the U.S. government. Then why isn't Linux more prevalent? One word: Microsoft. Another: Oracle. By Declan McCullagh and Robert Zarate. . . . . It's free, it's becoming more secure, and it's even the dirty little secret among some computer geeks who work in the U.S. government. Then why isn't Linux more prevalent? One word: Microsoft. Another: Oracle. By Declan McCullagh and Robert Zarate. The link for this article located at Wired is no longer available. . Linux remains an enigma in U.S. government operations due to legacy systems, risk aversion, and external pressures, despite its security and cost benefits. Linux in Government, Open Source Challenges, Government Adoption, Security in Linux, Technology Solutions. . Anthony Pell
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