Linux wins in Canadian court

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:13 am

I think this is an exciting decision; could lead to more linux is government in Canada, and perhaps globally Smile

Open source Linux wins Quebec court case against Microsoft

(AFP) – 2 days ago

MONTREAL — A Quebec court ruled a provincial agency was wrong to install Microsoft software on its computers without allowing others, such as Linux dealers, to bid on the lucrative contract, AFP learned Friday.

The province's public pension fund administrator (Régie des rentes du Québec) spent 720,000 Canadian dollars (686,000 US) beginning in the fall of 2006 to install Microsoft software on its computers.

Quebec Superior Court Judge Denis Jacques ruled the province should have searched for alternatives as required by its own rules for expenditures over 25,000 dollars (24,000 US).

The contract went to Microsoft dealer Compugen of Richmond Hill, Ontario.

A lawsuit was filed in March 2008 by Montreal-based Savoir Faire Linux, which deals in open-source software.

Savoir Faire Linux was awarded the costs of its litigation, but its bid to have the contract cancelled was rejected as the software installation had been completed.

In his ruling, the judge dismissed the government's defense that switching operating systems on its computers would have incurred additional costs to train staff used to Microsoft products.

Cyrille Beraud, president of Savoir-Faire Linux, told AFP it was a "historic judgment" as it "breaks multinationals' stranglehold on information systems."

It would have "a global impact," he predicted, as governments worldwide are said to be under pressure to reduce their software budgets and reliance on proprietary software such as Microsoft.

The government is reportedly considering an appeal.

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:16 am

"In his ruling, the judge dismissed the government's defense that switching operating systems on its computers would have incurred additional costs to train staff used to Microsoft products. "

Dude people who understand linux have issues with it, how can you expect people who barley manage to use windows xp work with it? Laughing

The golden age of Technical support XD

on a side note <3 linux.

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:19 am

CrazyMcCool wrote:

"In his ruling, the judge dismissed the government's defense that switching operating systems on its computers would have incurred additional costs to train staff used to Microsoft products. "

Dude people who understand linux have issues with it, how can you expect people who barley manage to use windows xp work with it? Laughing

The golden age of Technical support XD

on a side note <3 linux.

Ya i know, but keep that quiet Wink

I would honestly prefer to see the government spend $720,000 on 10 or so people to smooth the transition. The real plus is the court recognising that there are other options, and we are required to consider them.

[edit] i also added a poll Smile

ill also point out that windows has its problems as well, as someone is good with both, i find linux easier and quicker to fix usually.

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:21 am

cbilljones wrote:

CrazyMcCool wrote:

"In his ruling, the judge dismissed the government's defense that switching operating systems on its computers would have incurred additional costs to train staff used to Microsoft products. "

Dude people who understand linux have issues with it, how can you expect people who barley manage to use windows xp work with it? Laughing

The golden age of Technical support XD

on a side note <3 linux.

Ya i know, but keep that quiet Wink

I would honestly prefer to see the government spend $720,000 on 10 or so people to smooth the transition. The real plus is the court recognising that there are other options, and we are required to consider them.

[edit] i also added a poll Smile

ROFL best poll evarrr Linux or...does not matter just vote linux Laughing

and yes I agree =]]

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:10 am

hoorah for some common sense at long last.
Not bitching about MS but why and who decided that they have the preordained right to deliver?

Should the market be truly open than MS is forced to deliver a good and stable OS without the security issues etc at a high price for a product that is not and never has been 100%.
The same could be said of all os's but just cause being the largest user base does not mean that there is no other choice. This is a tactic that has been used consistently for years.

LINUX rock on.

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:17 am

johnno23 wrote:

hoorah for some common sense at long last.
Not bitching about MS but why and who decided that they have the preordained right to deliver?

Should the market be truly open than MS is forced to deliver a good and stable OS without the security issues etc at a high price for a product that is not and never has been 100%.
The same could be said of all os's but just cause being the largest user base does not mean that there is no other choice. This is a tactic that has been used consistently for years.

LINUX rock on.

will do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY-tuYRgLDk

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:54 pm

The government of Russia was just ordered to convert all OSes to Linux and to make use of open source where and when possible.

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:59 pm

Athlonite wrote:

The government of Russia was just ordered to convert all OSes to Linux and to make use of open source where and when possible.

That's exiting news, thanks for the update Smile

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:59 am

I thought some of you die hard Linux / Unix fans would be happy about this decision. From what I've heard, they will be saving many Rubles on proprietary software (namely MS). I just hope all who have been using MS can easily convert to the dark side Laughing