Dimitris
RavenCodeDo you think governments should move towards using a Linux distro for computer systems rather than windows?
Please boost for maximum exposure.
Yes
No
It depends (please comment)
Poll ended at .
Reiner Jung@galaxydinodragon as a proud Schleswig-Holsteiner, I can say that our government has understood this and is moving towards a Linux desktop and Open-Source. And it is the right thing to do. Now more than ever.
Ken Walker 
@prefec2 @galaxydinodragon I remember the German government taking steps to adopt open source software and Linux something like 20 years ago. It would be interesting to know how far that has progressed.
Alexander@kgw @prefec2 @galaxydinodragon
poorly. i was listening just last week to a radio program about this topic. since even our "conservative" politicians discovered something called "digital souveranity".
it seems that most of the projects ended in failure
poorly. i was listening just last week to a radio program about this topic. since even our "conservative" politicians discovered something called "digital souveranity".
it seems that most of the projects ended in failure
Jos Geluk@galaxydinodragon European governments, certainly. Others, no opinion.
MacCruiskeen@galaxydinodragon I detect some bias in the sampling.
@maccruiskeen hence the boost lol, it's 7 days so hopefully it gets to mastodon.social or something with non Linux nerds
LarsNygardIt depends on each use case. Most important is open standards and avoidance of vendor lock-in.
Often that means open software, but sometimes a computer is just a hammer.
Michael Ormsby
greenpepper22@galaxydinodragon the answer to every tech question always is “it depends” so I’m going with that.
Personally I think the government should have systems to use Linux, and Windows, and Apple, and whatever Chromebooks run on, etc. The government has to be able to handle doing stuff for literally 100% of the people it governs over, so it shouldn’t ever lock itself into a single tech ecosystem since there will never be a tech solution that works great for 100% of the people
Bhante Subharo ☸️@galaxydinodragon Yes, and they must resist the temptation to roll their own
mirabilos
Jonathan Yu@galaxydinodragon Yes, and they should also consider getting a support agreement for it, or employing enough people to self-support
Klaus Stein@galaxydinodragon
Not necessary Linux, could also something like FreeBSD, whatever fits the needs. just something that is not controlled by one company.
Not necessary Linux, could also something like FreeBSD, whatever fits the needs. just something that is not controlled by one company.
bjb 
@galaxydinodragon
I voted yes, but it doesn't have to be Linux, BSD is another open source (pardon me, "free") alternative.
I voted yes, but it doesn't have to be Linux, BSD is another open source (pardon me, "free") alternative.
Luke PhilippsLuke Philipps (@LukePhilipps@swiss.social)
Schritt 1: Unternehmen steigen auf SaaS um. Schritt 2: Unternehmen merken dass sie für Fachanwendungen nur noch einen Browser brauchen. Migration zu Linux. Schritt 3: Fachanwendungsbuden merken, dass es eine grosse Userbase auf Linux gibt unter entwickeln wieder eigenständige Applikationen, dieses mal für Linux. Win-Win würd ich sagen. ^^
galar@galaxydinodragon Amongst other reasons, there's a "government efficiency" reason that many care a lot about. They should advocate switching to Linux if they are honest.
Janneke@galaxydinodragon some of us have been advocating that for some 30y now.
Charlie Stross@galaxydinodragon Windows is obviously a very bad choice (especially for non-US governments!) but Linux has drawbacks too—I'd rather see an emphasis on open source, security, and consistent UX. Maybe include BSD along with Linux? Or re-start progress in OS design!
LisPi@cstross @galaxydinodragon > Or re-start progress in OS design!
Can we, please?
Though hardware support is a considerable issue and patents/copyright are getting in the way and prevent some of the safer source-based LBS options.
Can we, please?
Though hardware support is a considerable issue and patents/copyright are getting in the way and prevent some of the safer source-based LBS options.
Michel 🇧🇷 
@galaxydinodragon @ParadeGrotesque the national post office uses all web apps. On a browser. On windows 🫠
Kevin Karhan 
@galaxydinodragon there's a reason the french #GendarmerieNationale spuns tueir own #UbuntuLTS derivative...
Bluevelvet@galaxydinodragon that depends if your govermement is a fascist regime and you want it to collapse.
Kotes@galaxydinodragon Linux distros reduce PC disposal.
They reduce the frequency of PC replacement. They lead to overwhelming budget savings.
They will increase system availability, promote cross-platform support of administrative contact points, and make government open to all.
There is nothing wrong with that.
They reduce the frequency of PC replacement. They lead to overwhelming budget savings.
They will increase system availability, promote cross-platform support of administrative contact points, and make government open to all.
There is nothing wrong with that.
Παρδαλό Κατσίκι ✔️ Pied Goat@galaxydinodragon
The results from this poll will be obvious, not because of the question itself, but because of the framework.
If this poll was in a mainstream social media, I think that the results would be quite different, related to the level of knowledge people have about open source software.
So, the main thing here remains one in my humble opinion: Awareness, Knowldge, Information spread.
The results from this poll will be obvious, not because of the question itself, but because of the framework.
If this poll was in a mainstream social media, I think that the results would be quite different, related to the level of knowledge people have about open source software.
So, the main thing here remains one in my humble opinion: Awareness, Knowldge, Information spread.
@Pardalo_Katsiki yeah, was hoping the 7 day length and amount of boosts would get it around a fair amount
Lars Marowsky-Brée 😷@galaxydinodragon They should move to a Free and Open Source licensed OS and software - that may often be Linux-based, but other options exist.
Dark Photon Studio@galaxydinodragon Yes, but other open operating systems are also something to consider, if they are fit for purpose. Windows and macOS are closed and subject to the ever changing policies of the MS and Apple. It's foolish to trust companies that are subject to the whims of investors, and unresponsive to the needs of end users. They are also untrustworthy when it comes to classified information. Relying on any close source software is folly.
Matt Machell@galaxydinodragon UK gov uses a lot of Linux already of course (server side anyway), but this varies a lot by department and how much they adopted the "make it open, it make it better" ethos from GDS for digital services.
Paul SuttonWe will need to upskill a workforce first.
BigLinter@galaxydinodragon the best operating system is only as good, technically and ethically, as the peoples who use it.
Negative12DollarBill@galaxydinodragon
I believe some states and/or governments have done this in the past. Kerala in India for one but it was a long time ago.
It would be much easier now.
What would be even easier is if a number of them switched over to Linux simultaneously, or in a coordinated sequence. Like a lot of worthwhile things, it will be hard to make it work if only one place does it in isolation and everyone else sticks to Windows.
Björn 🇪🇺 Starkimarm@galaxydinodragon
Yes, and also every single line of code they (= WE!) (pay to) write should be open source.
Yes, and also every single line of code they (= WE!) (pay to) write should be open source.
ottO@galaxydinodragon @miah maybe a bsd, more than just linux
Woefdram@galaxydinodragon It's a no-brainer.
Have your ICT depend on foreign powers, that might decide you're no longer their friend,
or use something you control, something of which you have the source code and which makes you independent.
Really, it's pretty dumb that governments haven't made that move decades ago 🤷