That phrase “Open Source”, again!

You know, it’s just occurred that I’ve not mentioned open source software for a while.

Or possibly I have?

Whatever.

But it occurred to me that — while I’m waiting for Brentwood council’s policy board to meet in June, and discusses the issue — that I should maybe up the ante, a little bit.

Yes, I know it’s late, but … …

At any rate, a quick Googling managed to dig up the relevant addresses to contact; here’s what I sent them …

“Sir

In light of David Cameron’s recent comments about thrifty government, I wondered what you party’s policy was on open source software.

As you may know, a few year’s back, Bristol Council made the switch from Microsoft Office, to Star Office, Sun Microsoft’s commercial version of popular open source application, OpenOffice.org, and managed to save themselves some £1, 000, 000 in terms of license fees alone.

As an additional thought, given BBC reports of hijacked computers about hijacked computers, will your party be urging the government to change from notoriously insecure operating systems, to ones that have better technical reputations.

As a last thought, I have have written on the subject on my blog — available here  — and welcome both readers and comments.

You can also read about the switch Bristol City Council made to Star Office, here”

What response I’ll get, I don’t know, although I do know that the Labour party has sent me a “We’ll be In Touch” automated reply.

Which is nice.

But just as a thought, if you think you could, should or would do the same; the relevant Labour party page is here, the Tory’s are here, and the Lib Dem’s, here.

Oh, and Number 10’s here!

Just as a final thought, though, the BBC’s site also had a little story about botnet’s infecting government PC’s.   I know it’s not a major feature of national security, but it strikes me that the government having access to my data is one thing.

But someone else … ?