Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on July 25, 2003 10:17 PM
Why would a government mandate the use of Open Source software? I didn't think that it was implicit in the title that it was better.
Why governments should mandate the use of Open Source Software for use by that same government
Some of the citizens of some nations maintain a healthy distrust of government as it tends to attract those who are interested in aquiring and using power for their own ends rather than for the good of those governed. Such citizens often demand that their government provide its citizens with information/data about its activities so that those citizens who are vigilant may monitor their government and if needed take steps to alter their governemnt. Why should acitivites accomplished using computers be exempt from such demands? The use of computers does not magically protect governments and their citizens from those who would abuse power. To some , a good track record is not enough, the "best tool for the job" for governments includes an openess about information/data that empowers the vigilant.
Maybe I just don't get it.
As I see it there are two things one might not get. One is that the legislation being talked about is legislation regulating governments, not corporations, nor individual citizens. Since some pundits seem to intentionally confuse this aspect, not getting it, is understandable. The other thing is the concept of how freedom of information applied to governemnts can empower the citizens of those goverments, if you don't get that, then I pity you and your fellow citizens.
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Re:Why? To empower the vigilant.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on July 25, 2003 10:17 PMWhy governments should mandate the use of Open Source Software for use by that same government
Some of the citizens of some nations maintain a healthy distrust of government as it tends to attract those who are interested in aquiring and using power for their own ends rather than for the good of those governed. Such citizens often demand that their government provide its citizens with information/data about its activities so that those citizens who are vigilant may monitor their government and if needed take steps to alter their governemnt. Why should acitivites accomplished using computers be exempt from such demands? The use of computers does not magically protect governments and their citizens from those who would abuse power. To some , a good track record is not enough, the "best tool for the job" for governments includes an openess about information/data that empowers the vigilant.
Maybe I just don't get it.
As I see it there are two things one might not get. One is that the legislation being talked about is legislation regulating governments, not corporations, nor individual citizens. Since some pundits seem to intentionally confuse this aspect, not getting it, is understandable. The other thing is the concept of how freedom of information applied to governemnts can empower the citizens of those goverments, if you don't get that, then I pity you and your fellow citizens.
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