A German state is ditching Windows and Microsoft Office for Linux and LibreOffice on the 30,000 PCs it uses for local government functions
A German state is ditching Windows and Microsoft Office for Linux and LibreOffice on the 30,000 PCs it uses for local government functions
'Complete digital sovereignty' ... sounds familiar
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's most northern state, is starting its switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, and is planning to move from Windows to Linux on the 30,000 PCs it uses for local government functions.
Concerns over data security are also front and center in the Minister-President's statement, especially data that may make its way to other countries. Back in 2021, when the transition plans were first being drawn up, the hardware requirements for Windows 11 were also mentioned as a reason to move away from Microsoft.
Saunders noted that "the reasons for switching to Linux and LibreOffice are different today. Back when LiMux started, it was mostly seen as a way to save money. Now the focus is far more on data protection, privacy and security. Consider that the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) recently found that the European Commission's use of Microsoft 365 breaches data protection law for EU institutions and bodies."
Consider that the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) recently found that the European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 breaches data protection law for EU institutions and bodies.”
Good news :-)
Lol, it took a while to see the mountain. Also, they should sue Microsoft, if data was transfered and stored in US.. AH, no. There's probably the usual default dialog that you click 'Agree' on blindly. Anyway, good news. I hope they invest the money on further development, sponsoring, support, and training of employees.
There's a learning curve, but really, every large org can save so much money that way.
Heck, most proprietary apps are web apps these days anyway, so it really doesn't hurt running Linux except for a few specialty roles. Just run Mac or Windows for those areas, and everyone else gets Linux.
I would love it if my work computer was Linux, 90% of my work is on a terminal anyway, it would save me from having to SSH to a Linux server every day.
Honestly, large org could pay FOSS developers for maintenance etc and it would be still a better deal all around.
Again? Isn't this the third time or something? Then Microsoft comes along with a briefcase of Euros and the "problem" goes away. Sombody please correct me if I'm mis-remembering.
What you describe happened in Munich, at least. This is in another state.
@cyberwolfie
Sensibly munich switched back to open source in 2020 :)
@kingmongoose7877Yes, Munich, thank you! 👍
Maybe they're looking to get a big Microsoft contract. Switching to FOSS attracts suits bringing cash.
It's not a lot of stuff really going on in foss/anti-bigtech
If they do it in all states at once there will be nothing to talk about in years
Am I the only one who is getting sick and tired of those AI generated images below every article?
I think this one is kinda funny
It features the flag of the German empire that nowadays is only used by Nazis and "sovereign citizens".
Tell me about it, I've worked with AI generation images and the aesthetic is so easily recognized its and lazy addition to journalism
Yeah, I don't really care it's not like I look at it anyways
The new German Microsoft headquarters will be in Schleswig-Holstein i guess.
It's strange how that happens when a government starts to consider other options.
If all they are using their PCs for is word processing and intranet webapps, perhaps they don't need Windows anymore. It is not like ActiveX is supported anymore.
Massive Microsoft bribes incoming...
Between basically every process being done on paper, and most of the civil servants having no idea what an operating system is, I'm sure this will go great.
Ugh I hate office365 but holy shit I would not want to support libreoffice.
The FOSS scene really needs an office suite that doesn't feel like its from last century. People use Microsoft shit not only because its the only choice but because its actually usable for office tasks.
What's wrong with libreoffice, exactly?
Exactly? The interface is god awful, if you're running a dark theme then your icons will be unseeable (black on black) unless you enable experimental features. The interface is straight out of the early 2000s.
If I, a computer person, has so many issues with software normie office workers are going to use then they'll have a hell of a time using it. I'd definitely not wanna be the helpdesk people having to deal with endless calls about why they can't print their tps reports because they can't find the print icon.
Libreoffice had some steam when it first forked from OpenOffice but it ran out pretty quickly. Theres not been any meaningful features added and they can't even keep up with the frontend interface.
Also. It doesn't seem like the German gov announced any kind of large funding contributions to libreoffice so I have no idea how they plan on encouraging anyone to fix the issues they'll no doubt have.
I would argue that MS Office feels like it's from the last century as well. Even the newest versions of it feel like it was made by people who have never had to use it.