I started off using GNOME on Ubuntu but switched over to KDE a couple of months back, it is the best thing I have ever done, KDE is much faster than GNOME.

Back on topic I think it is great that the French government is starting to use Open-Source. Another great step in the on-going war between open-source/free and Windows/closed-source/not free.

I don't have anything on my computer that isn't open-source! (Guess what side I'm on?)

Oh do keep whining, one or the other is fine; can't blame them for picking either. It's good Open Source has finally advanced so far that many can choose now. I like competivity.

What about Kubuntu? or they think Kubuntu is something totally different than Ubuntu? Or maybe the Free CDs isn't available for Ubuntu? But still, usually people move to KDE or XFC if they liked Linux and continue to use it after getting more advanced to a different distribution.

Well I suppose it's quite obvious that I'm a KDE fan... (in case you haven't noticed: look at my username)
Though it's said Gnome is more stable.

Here in Brazil many public universities already use Unix/Linux-based systems for most of tasks, because of scalability and more control over the network and it's capabilities. Also, even computers running Windows have Firefox installed and set as default (they even hide the IE icon). This addresses various issues very common in this kind of network, like people running unintended software, or getting lots of adware/spyware by simply searching the web, and so keeping maintenance to a lower level.

It's also curious that more developed and wealthy states or harder top-notch universities (usually public here in Brazil - as mine =D), tend more to adopt free software than others. This might show that knowledge and proper education leave some space to think about what's best for one, as also for the rest of the world. And it's not always proprietary software...

In some states, public repartitions already use computers running Linux and free office applications (even if not thoroughly), but Microsoft is each day more making offers so government keep using their products. They say for example, that Linux isn't as friendly as Windows and that it could cause confusion because most of their employees run Windows machines in their homes, and it wouldn't have the adequate drivers for their equipment...

Still, we're leaving proprietary software, slowly...

It's just that apparently, people know Ubuntu more than Kubuntu. I have used both and completely hated them.

I do also like how the French government is taking such actions, I just wish that the Canadian government can do the same so that I can stop paying so much tax.

xboxrulz

Correct me if im wrong but isn't opensource and Linux sperate entities? Anyone one know what flavor there going to run?


its a shame too. Its just a simple apt-get to install the other distros..

Très bien!


It's no real wonder that kind of big institutions switch to open source. The savings must be huge in terms of software purchases. Then there's of course the installation and education costs but eventually old machines need to get replaced anyways.

About the browsers... I don't think it matters much for the members of the French parliament which browser they get to use as both do their job well. Remember these are people in important positions and I suspect they don't have time to fight over which browser is best like bunch of nerds.


One thing that speaks for Linux systems in large organizations is the networking and network drive sharing. In all fairness Windows still sucks when you need to have the ability to share network resources like disk space and printers. In Unix world all that has been working like charm for years.


I'm sad that our university and not even our department of information technology (where I study) hasn't gone open source. Instead in all quietness they signed a contract with Microsoft last spring which will most likely mean more Windows work stations. Our university's email system was changed from old perfectly fine working Unix system to MS Exchange based one and for the whole year there has been loads of problems with it. I personally wasn't able to access my email for two weeks. The ridiculous thing is that the system probably costed a lot...





Yeah but if you're talking about open source operating system for office computers there are not that many sensible options apart from Linux.

It is cool to know that governments are changing to open source software. It is just about time now,,that Microsoft will end his monopoly...I personally don't like Microsoft,,but I have to use it,,because it became norm...But, as from now on,,I will begin to move to Ubuntu kde,,I still don't know how it will work,,but I think I will do fine...

One big advantage I see,,is the cost,,It is like something out of a dream to have a 4 million lines of code OS,,and freee,,Gosh, God bless the guys in the communities forging this open source programs...Hail to them