On 8 July 2011 11:20, Kenneth Gonsalves <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Fri, 2011-07-08 at 11:00 +0530, Debayan Banerjee wrote: > > The day I am waiting for is when FOSS will be given first preference > > for all > > Govt projects, and all Govt developed software is released as FOSS by > > default. It will save crores of Indian Rupees to the exchequer. > > so we use FOSS to save money?? > The Government's usage of FOSS will allow us to escape unfair and non-negotiable pricing policies from monopoly proprietary vendors, and hence it will result in reduction of procurement costs in the long run. It is to become self sufficient some time in the future and free ourselves from vendor lock in. While the primary motivation is not saving money, it is still an aspect that matters and warrants investigation. Creating an environment where FOSS platforms are used for development will foster the growth of an industry that has 0 input cost in buying licenses and hence will be able to turn out products which are not as expensive. Unless a big 'customer' like the Govt of India takes a stand like this, the required eco-system of support for FOSS is not going to grow. I use FOSS and it certainly saves me a lot of money as well. Replacing Windows with Linux will certainly save on licensing costs. There is the issue of retraining costs involved, but it will repay itself in the longer run. For backend uses such as web servers, announcement systems, public display systems, route navigation systems etc there is no mass retraining cost either. Instead a redevelopment effort is required, which as any professional would know, is not easy to do. No one would fix something that ain't broken. So what is broken currently, in the Govt's perspective, is the Govt's helpless dependence on Windows as a platform (pertaining to the draft under discussion). It's not so much about cost as it is about being able to control our own affairs in our own terms. I guess too many bureaucrats dislike acquiescing to pricing/licensing policies in board meetings in Delhi. -- Debayan Banerjee -- Mailing list guidelines and other related articles: http://lug-iitd.org/Footer
