Forum Post: Faced with Microsoft's cost, government looks to open-source software

As the government struggles to make ends meet, figures both in and outside the government are saying the country could save some serious money by re-examining its recent high-dollar deal with international software giant, Microsoft.

On 26 December, the official Facebook page of Prime Minister Hesham Qandil announced that the Cabinet had sealed a deal with Microsoft to buy and maintain licensed software for the government worth nearly US$44 million to be paid over four fiscal years.

That’s a large chunk of money, activists say, when the government could get a superior product for free.

Open-source software, also known as free and open-source software, is computer software without a source code, or software that makes its source code available to the public, with very loose or nonexistent copyright restrictions. Linux, an operating system developed in 1991, has emerged as the most popular free and open-source software. Android mobile phones are now completely open-source operated.

Open-source was developed as an antithesis to large American software corporations’ products, which have strict copyright restrictions and secured source codes. Such software is also commonly surrounded by activists who see it as a vehicle to a free flow of knowledge. Link

And another Government to switch to open source

This is from 12/30/12 Activists protest Microsoft deal