Tamil Nadu state departments asked to switch over to open source software

A number of comments here are pointing out the considerable barriers to migration away from Microsoft based systems; back end systems; file compatibility with MS Office formats; training needs for significantly different interfaces on a &#x27;desktop&#x27; system.<p>The UK govts recent suggestion that we require open formats <i>may</i> begin to address one of those issues [1]. The move to more recent browser mediated applications <i>might</i> mitigate another. A new generation will have grown up with <i>devices</i> that probably don&#x27;t run Windows [2] and that <i>might</i> reduce the training issues associated with UI changes.<p>Can I turn the question round: how many decades do we think that the default systems for large enterprises and governments will be provided by Microsoft?<p>And if a country as huge as India with a developed IT workforce of the kind India has decides to start a migration programme, the resulting pool of skilled people and working software (GPL Licensed software) would make future migrations that much easier. I personally wish the UK had a Munich or two simply so we can develop the skills here.<p>[1] <a href="http://opensource.com/government/14/2/uk-government-open-standards" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;opensource.com&#x2F;government&#x2F;14&#x2F;2&#x2F;uk-government-open-sta...</a><p>[2] <a href="http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2014/03/21/microsoft_sorgen_intelligent_devices/" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.channelregister.co.uk&#x2F;2014&#x2F;03&#x2F;21&#x2F;microsoft_sorgen...</a>

Having spent some time in India dealing with scattered govt. Windows infrastructure, this is amazing news. This may also open up many new opportunities in computer education and literacy which is very deficient in the country. I really hope this switch does happen.

Slightly off note, but any movement by the Indian government should be appreciated, considering how much inertia they have :) More on the topic - way back in 1995 when CD-ROM drives became affordable and popular in India [1], I expected Linux to thrive in the country considering how nobody, especially students and enthusiasts, had the money to buy legit copies of Windows. Sadly that never happened. At least the universities could have done their bit to teach and promote Linux, but they too didn&#x27;t.<p>[1] Internet connections were so slow that it was impossible for most people to download a Linux distro on off the internet. But there were a lot of computer magazines distributing various Linux distros on CDs for a Rs. 100 or thereabout.

Not many people know this but Linux is already quite popular in the South (esp. in schools and government offices)

For people wondering about BOSS linux, it is Debian based, and is bundled with LibreOffice, Gnome, Iceweasel (browser) etc. the usual stuff and is distributed by CDAC Chennai. CDAC Chennai adds value to the distro by providing support (they have a toll free number where anyone call for any doubts in relation to BOSS), ensuring all the drivers of local printers are present, local fonts are all set up and working right from the beginning. They also provide training when any govt. department switches to BOSS.<p>Source - I worked in CDAC Chennai and was involved in a project related to BOSS, and quite a few depts. were switching to BOSS while I was there (2 yrs back)

Whenever these stories appear it seems impossible to tell if they&#x27;re genuine or just trolling Microsoft to try to get a better deal.

Aside from the city of Munich, are their any other governments that are using Linux as their main operating system?

This may come as a bit skeptical, but IMHO the large scale adaptation of a Linux distro in Indian state departments seems a long way to. The lack of Linux operational training to the personnel along with replacement costs may call for an early demise to the plan to switch to Linux. While it does sound promising, the average government clerk in India, is computer literate in terms of Microsoft Office suite. Replacement of MS Office with Libre&#x2F;Open Office suite itself is a big hurdle which in terms of usability is still in its early days. In addition, most systems on government offices I&#x27;ve seen run IE8 as their primary browsers, running applications &quot;designed for IE only&quot;. I believe that if the switch to a Linux distro is to be made, the government should start with replacing leagcy windows software with their open source, linux compatible counterparts, before making the big move.

Hope &quot;may&quot; changes to &quot;will&quot; in coming future . Not just state departments but infrastructure services here use windows , e.g.: metro stations , ATM machines . Switch can help to save money which can be used in other developments much needed for the society without comprising efficiency of governance.

&gt; “Consider installing BOSS [Bharat Operating System Solutions] Linux as one of the mandatory operating system,”<p>It would be good for India to take control over it&#x27;s own operating system. It would open up their market of software developers. Making the Linux community stronger is another strong benefit for everybody.

State of Kerala in India already uses Linux for almost everything. From basic functioning of government offices to computer education in the schools.

It&#x27;s about time. In fact, it&#x27;s way past time. But don&#x27;t expect Microsoft to give up without a great deal more fight, a legal challenge or two, and other tactics from their vast playbook.

I know this is completely tangential, but I am hoping someone can enlighten me. What&#x27;s the best way to think about or explain the prevalence of grammatical errors in the Indian English-language press?<p>Is it because Indian English is its own distinct dialect or variation with different rules, similar to differences between American and British English?<p>Is it because English is fundamentally a lingua franca in India where nobody is expected to really master the grammar, including the press?<p>Is it because the press in India doesn&#x27;t consider it important? I know in my local press in the US I&#x27;ve seen many more typographical and grammatical errors creep in since newspapers went into decline a few years ago.<p>Or is there something else explaining it which I have not imagined?

I am curious to know more about BOSS. The <a href="http://bosslinux.in/" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;bosslinux.in&#x2F;</a> is not opening (not responding to http request). Does anybody know any alternate link?

OSS, the order said, “is almost free of virus. Hence loss of information, hacking, phishing can be prevented… there is no need to spend on expensive anti virus software.”<p>I disagree with that statement.

Every new big player means &quot;more eyes&quot; on the code. And bugs get rooted out quicker.<p>In the case of proprietary software, every new big player means &quot;more social lock in effect&quot;.

I think the main difficulty in migration from windows XP to linux is leaving word, excel, outlook, ie and powerpoint. If users have already migrated to open alternatives (libre office, ...), the OS switch is almost transparent.

Way to go! much needed.