Norway cancels Microsoft deal

The Inquirer ^ | July 13, 2002 | Egan Orion

[JameRetief]

Sub-optimal and expensive

By Egan Orion: Saturday 13 July 2002, 11:54

A BRIEF STORY in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reports that Norway has canceled an exclusive Microsoft contract to provide software for government and public systems, country-wide.

The Minister of Labour and Government Administration, Victor D. Norman, expressed that the procurement agreement has been sub-optimal and that competition could provide cheaper software solutions for government and consumers. (In paraphrasing a translation, we think it said this.)

According to DesktopLinux, Mr. Norman said "We think that the Microsoft agreement in reality has given Microsoft a monopoly in an area where we are better served by introducing competition."

The translation continues "In Norman's view, the cancellation of the agreement with MS will not only give cheaper computer solutions but also better quality solutions." Double ouch!

Should you have a command of Norwegian (any at all beats ours), the original article is here.µ

[aynrandfreak]

Just another socialist-govt's excuse to bash Microsoft. Like it's going to help with integrating information to have multiple software platforms. Why don't they just let half of the gov't use Macs if they want competition? Norway would be just as poor as Sweden if it weren't for their oil.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

.

[cmsgop]

hehe!

[per loin]

Linux marches on!

[Jorge]

I don't blame them for not wanting to use Micro$haft. Windows sucks, MACINTOSH RULES!!!!!!!

"MACINTOSH RULES" What? Surely not the market.

[null and void]

They're going to switch to MøøsekrøSøft???

[Dante3]

Maybe Bill's new buddy Rev. Jesse Jackson was part of the deal.

[ShadowAce]

Well, somebody had to ping these two.....

[ShadowAce]

Just another socialist-govt's excuse to bash Microsoft.

Yet the article said:"We think that the Microsoft agreement in reality has given Microsoft a monopoly in an area where we are better served by introducing competition."

So tell me--why would a socialist gov't want to introduce competition?

[monkeyshine]

There is nothing wrong with competition. There is no reason to sign an exclusive deal with Microsoft. If they make the best products at reasonably fair prices, they will get the deal anyway. If not, someone else will. That's fair to all concerned, except maybe Microsoft, who wants an "exclusive" to shut out the competition.

[bobwoodard]

Just another socialist-govt's excuse to bash Microsoft

How is introducing competition bashing Microsoft?

[greasepaint]

The shift away from MS is a trend.
In foreign countries, 99% of the software is pirated.
The latest OS from MS, Windows-XP, requires you to
'check-in' with MS to keep your computer running.
How many people in foreign countries are going to
PURCHASE Windows-XP...not many.
Most people use Windows because most other people
use Windows. When others OSs become viable (and more popular),
the reason to use the formerly dominant OS-Windows,is less compelling.
Without the user base of pirates, adoption of MS software
will decline.
g.

[jimtorr]

"The shift away from MS is a trend. "

That is correct. A number or European countries are in the process of dumping Windows-based software, in favor of something else, in government computing. I don't recall if they mean all of government or just critical functions or what. Germany and France are the two that I have heard about specifically.

[ShadowAce]

When others OSs become viable (and more popular), the reason to use the formerly dominant OS-Windows,is less compelling.

That is true. Within the past couple of months now, Linux and its applications have grown up quite a bit. OpenOffice for Linux will now open and process any MS document/spreadsheet, etc. That includes macros. The desktop is looking pretty nice as well.

Now that I can process my Office documents under Linux, receive and send e-mail (via Evolution) and every other thing that I used to be restricted on due to Windows, I am rapidly moving away from the Windows environment. This way I am not beholden to any single company for my computing needs.

[parsifal]

I passed up a free XP installation. I opted for Win98SE. I will not be forced to activate my operating system. If necessary, I'll go MAC first. parsy the free.

[ShadowAce]

I would recommend Linux before Mac. Why? You've already got the required hardware. The OS is available for download, or you can purchase support if you wish. Linux already supports just about every peripheral out there, so why opt for extra hardware costs?

[The Duke]

All the new workstations in my company are getting installed
with Linux, and all new servers will be getting installed
with OPENBSD. This is as a result of a pilot program we've
run for the past years - during which time we've found
employees developing quite an affinity for Linux.

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.

[eclectic]

FUD ALERT!