Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 11:22:43 +0200 (CEST) From: Konrad Heuer <kheuer@gwdu60.gwdg.de> To: freebsd-advocacy@freebsd.org Subject: Important: Open Source & German Federal Government Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.4.05.10004271036360.77291-100000@gwdu60.gwdg.de>
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I'be read something very interesting shortly: The "Koordinierungs- und Beratungsstelle der Bundesregierung fuer Informationstechnik im Bundesinnenministerium (KBSt)" (an institution of the federal government of Germany dealing with coordination and consulting concerning information technology for the federal administration) has published some weeks ago a paper about replacing commerical software (e.g. Microsoft products) by open source software. One key sentence of the paper is (I'll try to translate below): "Mit Linux oder FreeBSD als Betriebssystem und ergaenzender Open-Source-Software und kommerzieller Software auf OSS-Betriebssystemen steht ein stabiles, preiswertes, ressourcenschonendes, sicheres und von ausreichend vielen Beratungsfirmen unterstuetztes Rechnersystem auch fuer die professionelle Bueroumgebung zur Verfuegung." My translation: The Linux or FreeBSD operating system and additonal open source software as well as commercial software for these open source operating systems make a stable, inexpensive, resource sparing and secure platform for professional office applications; important as well is the availability of commerical support and consulting. You may take a look at the whole paper (written in German) at http://linux.kbst.bund.de/index2.html. The paper has already initiated a large discussion in the German Linux scenery; and the whole paper has some tendency towards Linux although FreeBSD has been mentioned. During all the years, I got the impression Europe doesn't seem to be so important for many of the FreeBSD `guys' as the U.S. but here I think is great chance for FreeBSD in one of the larger European countries. The KBSt will fix the new IT strategy for federal administration in June!! I don't think we should bash Linux or start a flame war here, but we could try to articulate that both - FreeBSD and Linux - should have their place. Why shouldn't we try something like `FreeBSD for the server - Linux for the desktop' (just to suggest a - probably too - simple slogan). On the web site there's an invitation for suggestions by e-mail. Let's take the chance! And more: Why shouldn't the new BSDI get involved here? I read about their plans to be more present in Europe. Commercial support is very important for the administration, and they should not let Linux get all the market here. Some official statement from BSDI would probably do good (if not already happened - I don't know!). Some ideas and suggestions of mine. Would greatly appreciate some resonance! Regards Konrad Heuer Personal Bookmarks: Gesellschaft f=FCr wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH G=D6ttingen http://www.freebsd.org Am Fa=DFberg, D-37077 G=D6ttingen http://www.daemonnews.o= rg Deutschland (Germany) kheuer@gwdu60.gwdg.de To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-advocacy" in the body of the message
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