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Vietnam About To Give Open Source Software A Huge Boost
By: Doug Caverly
Staff Writer
2009-01-10
Here's some interesting news for all you Linux folks: if the American economy really goes to crap (or if you're just feeling a bit underappreciated as things stand), Vietnam's government may be able to offer you a really good job. It seems that the country's government agencies all intend to switch to using open source software in the near future.
The strength of will behind this move goes beyond "intend," really. VietNamNet reports, "The Ministry of Information and Communications has issued an instruction on using open source software products at state agencies. Accordingly, by June 30, 2009, 100% of servers of IT divisions of government agencies must be installed with open source software; 100% of staffs at these IT divisions must be trained in the use of these software products and at least 50% use them proficiently."
Then, by the end of the year, agencies tied to ministries and local states are supposed to be pretty well onboard, too.
If everything goes ahead as planned - governments have been known to move slowly, after all - this will be a hugely important test of open source software, with success or failure on such a massive level sure to put it in the spotlight. Then, if Vietnam's government is able to achieve something like impressive cost savings, there's no telling what other nations and/or individual agencies might follow its lead.
The outlook for open source at American businesses might improve, as well, so maybe rather than picking up a new language, you can just cheer for the Vietnamese experiment from wherever you sit.
About the Author:
Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest eBusiness news.
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