ZDnet: Open standards push Mannheim to Linux

[Eric Dunbar]

A interesting article referenced in the Mannheim one...

Europe and the US philosophically divided on open source?
Ingrid Marson
ZDNet UK
November 08, 2005, 11:15 GMT

Open Source in Government: Some governments have embraced the
potential of open source, while others seem culturally opposed to the
whole concept

<http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020472,39235707-2,00.htm>

It might be interesting to get the opinion of some Eastern Europeans
on the following comments (see the Poland/Eastern Europe page):

The situation regarding open source software is unclear in Eastern
Europe, according to MERIT's Ghosh. He says that some Eastern European
companies have already decided to go with Microsoft, such as
Macedonia, which recently signed a contract with Microsoft for it to
equip the entire public sector at a cost of $300 per seat.

"Countries where there is a relative lack of awareness about
technology can get swayed by sales forces," says Ghosh.

Overall, cost is a "strong driver" for the adoption of open source
software in Eastern Europe, due to budgetary constraints, according to
DiMaio.

But Governor says many Eastern European countries are likely to opt
for Microsoft as they "don't want to be seen as commies [sic]". "A lot
of Eastern European countries look to UK and US for guidance," he
says.




On 11/30/05, Jeff Waugh <jeff.waugh at ubuntu.com> wrote:
> <quote who="Corey Burger">
>
> > http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,39020463,39238835-3,00.htm
>
> Fridged - thanks!
>
> - Jeff