See the InformationWeek article “Microsoft Suffers Latest Blow As NIST Bans Windows Vista .” They could change their mind, of course, but the bit that really caught my eye was at the end:
FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] CIO Dave Bowen told InformationWeek that he may forego upgrading the aviation safety agency’s computers to Microsoft’s latest offerings in favor of desktops running some combination of Linux and Google Apps, Google’s new online suite of office productivity tools.
I had missed that article from last week: “FAA May Ditch Microsoft’s Windows Vista And Office For Google And Linux Combo.” Document-wise, this would likely imply use of either the older Microsoft binary formats or else the OpenDocument Format (ODF).
Wow, the list of institutions and government agencies (DOT, too) sidestepping Microsoft’s latest software just keeps growing, and why not? In the face of the fact of two questions:
— (1) Are you more productive with it than current software? and
— (2) Does it add value to your desktop and work, i.e., is it worth the TCO?
Most would say either say no, or at the least will hedge with “Not yet.” Also, you have to love how the French are on the leading edge of Open source solutions throughout their digital society. If they can make it work, anyone can learn from their experiences. US government take note and save some serious future tax dollars.