GERMANY: The German government is abandoning Microsoft's Windows operating system to use its archrival, the free software Linux, on its computer systems.
The change is intended to boost the security of federal government computer systems after discussions with the IT industry since last September's terrorist attacks in the US.
"We will increase security by avoiding a software 'monoculture', we reduce dependency on one software company and we save money on buying and maintaining software," said Mr Otto Schily, the interior minister, yesterday.
Despite being free, the changeover to Linux will cost the German government around €9.5 million.
Nevertheless Mr Schily said it was good value in the long-term as it will "prevent a monopoly power from dictating the prices and conditions".
He pointed out that many recent computer virus scares, such as the "LoveLetter" virus two years ago, were circulated through Microsoft's Outlook email programme.
Mr Schily signed a contract with computer manufacturer IBM yesterday to equip federal and state governments with new servers loaded with the Linux operating system. The existing Windows system will be phased out of use as computers are replaced.
Linux has over 18 million users world-wide and is the world's second-largest operating system. Unlike Windows, it is based on open-source computer code that all users can access and modify. With thousands of people modifying and monitoring the operating system, users say this makes it more secure than Windows, where security problems have to be checked and approved by Microsoft technicians before solutions are posted on the company website.
"Linux is open, innovative, good value, stable," said Mr Erwin Staudt, head of IBM Germany. "It's the fastest-growing operating system in the server world, while other operating systems are stagnating." According to IBM, governments in Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands are considering moving to Linux.
Microsoft declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
