Can open source software—software that is usually available without charge and that individuals are free to modify—survive against the fierce competition of proprietary software, such as Microsoft Windows? Should the government intervene on its behalf? This book addresses a host of issues raised by the rapid growth of open source software, including government subsidies for research and development, government procurement policy, and patent and copyright policy. By Robert W. Hahn
An alternative method of software development, called open source software, creates robust, secure software through a process of widespread peer review. This paper explains the open source concept and attempts to show how government can use open source as a vehicle for promoting economic development and as a policy tool which could assist the Justice Department in its antitrust action against Microsoft.
The French speaking Linux and Libre Software Users' Association has compiled an extensive list of official government actions regarding the use of free software.
Part 2B of the FLOSS Survey and Study report by the International Institute of Infonomics, which deals with current practices and policy in the Eureopean Union, benefits for governments, implementations and possible goals for government.
On June 23rd 2004, IDA organised a one-day workshop on OSS Competence in the Public Sector. The purpose of this workshop was to allow the public sector bodies that provide assistance and advice on the deployment of open source software in public administrations to share their experiences, good practices and applications. This resource contains various presentations on the use of OSS in the Public Sector.
A chart that provides information on the number and type of Open Source (OS) software policies and legislation considered by national, regional or local governments around the world.
A major component of the FLOSSPOLS project is the understanding of attitudes towards and usage of Free/Libre/Open Source Software (FLOSS) in the public sector in Europe, and local (including regional) government authorities in particular. To this end, a comprehensive survey has been conducted, using telephone first contacts, telephone reminders, and a questionnaire by telephone, fax or (accounting for the vast majority of responses) web-based forms. The survey has been conducted in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, in 10 local languages. Personalised questionnaires were provided to 4138 organisations from the ELGO database and augmented by an “open” questionnaire in some countries leading to a total of 955 valid responses.
This paper discusses the variety of policy reasons, governments throughout the world are now adopting various legislative and administrative strategies that support the development of OSS.
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