Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 00:22:34 +0200
From: Stefane Fermigier <sf@fermigier.com>
To: lwn@lwn.net
Subject: [anne@sslug.dk: Open Source software in EU- public administrations- tell the local press!]

FYI.

Most interesting texts are in PDF, but here's one I have converted to
text:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
IDA Symposium on the use of Open Source Software in public administrations,
Brussels, 22 February 2001
 
Conclusions
 
The case studies presented during the symposium demonstrate
 
- that there is much experience in the use of open source software in public
  administrations in Europe.
 
- that open source software projects in European administrations include both
  specialised server installations (back-office) and large-scale desk-top and
  point-of-service deployments.
 
- that open source software solutions have been selected because of their
  functionality, low costs, vendor independence, adherence to open standards,
  interoperability and security. The discussions at the symposium indicate
 
- that certain requirements that are particular to public administrations
  (perennity, independence, transparency, reliability) may best be met by
  applications based on open source.

- that in a number of fields, open source software can be a mature alternative
  to proprietary software.
 
- that IT decision makers in administrations need confidence that open
  source-based solutions can be procured with full professional support and
  maintenance.
 
At the symposium the following proposals were formulated:
 
- In public procurement for IT services, greater importance should be attached
  to the respect of open standards, including standards for document exchange.
 
- Public administrations should be better informed about the availability of IT
  solutions that are based on open source software.
 
- A forum for the exchange of best practice in the use of open source software
  in public administrations should be inaugurated.
 
- Public administrations could share open source software solutions through an
  OSS software pool.
 
Some areas need further consideration:
 
- Additional work needs to be done on measuring the costs and benefits of the
  use of open source software in public administrations.
 
- Public administrations must consider the legal questions, in particular
  regarding competition law, as well as the issues of copyright and liability
  that apply not only to open source but to all software.

----- Forwarded message from Anne ?stergaard <anne@sslug.dk> -----

Hello

Please send this information to the press:

Important conclusions from the IDA Symposium in Bruxelles on February
22nd 2001.

You can find it all here in English:

http://europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida/

On this IDA website you can also read Mr. Liikanens keynote speach, the
conclusions and all the brilliant presentations.

I have translated the conclutions to Danish for everyone to use and
quote and will put the text on the SSLUG website.

At the CUADEC Conference in Copenhagen April 6.-8. 2001- I handed the
documentation to a number of journaliste from several countries and to
the Free Software Foundations in US and EU. Miguel de Icaza, ximian took
a special interest ;-)

You can read more about GUADEC in Copenhagen at: http://guadec.gnome.dk/

Best wishes, and have a happy easter.

Anne

-- 
Anne Østergaard, [anne@sslug.dk] http://www.sslug.dk

----- End forwarded message -----

-- 
Stéfane Fermigier 
<http://aful.org> && <http://nuxeo.com> && <http://portalux.com>