The Expenses Situation …

I’ve got to admit, I’ve been doing a bit of quick digging, after getting an email from Councillor Linda Golding, about Brentwood Council’s policy on open source software; but just to fill you in, here’s the text of the email she sent me …

“Open source software does offer a cost effective alternative to commercial software.

Brentwood has used open source software since the early 90’s, our Intranet, Website, Residents and Member portals have been developed and built on open source technology and data from systems is stored in open source databases, and this is provided on a mixed platform of Microsoft, Linux and Unix operating systems. There are also other systems that have been developed bringing together the best of open source and commercial software to provide computer services at Brentwood.

The approach is to have a toolbox rather than standardising on one technology, which offers flexibility when meeting the challenges of providing a reliable computer service for Brentwood.

As investment has already been made in Microsoft Office, for Brentwood to move to Open Office would not offer any savings at this moment in time, but our approach will be to continue to look at the offerings from the Open Source community for software solutions.

I hope this answers your question.”

Now, having had a quick online, I’ve discovered that the cheapest version of Microsoft Office is the Home and Student version of MS Office 2007, available for £78•29p. And that the equivalent version of StarOffice — Sun Microsystem’s commercial open sourced version of OpenOffice.org — is available from £29•35p.

Which looks like a hell of a saving.

I’ve got to ask if Brentwood Council’s Policy Board has had a really good — and thoroughly costed — look at the option’s available.

Now, having read the Bristol Council report on their transition from MS Office, to Star Office, and knowing the savings they’ve made …

Well.

I’ve got to wonder.