[CLUG] Microsoft signs ?10m desktop/server contract with Ireland

[adam beecher]

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Hi Harry,

> It would be interesting to get a professional interpretation of the
> data protection act on this matter.  If I demand all the records
> stored by me, how can the government guarantee me that closed
> software isn't storing more information.
> 
> It might be a good starting point.
> 
I think you may have gone over the head of most politicians already
Harry. You've certainly gone over mine. :)

I'll assume (possibly wrongly) however, that you're talking about
.NET, and I don't think that's going to be a problem any more.
Microsoft has (ostensibly) realised the error of their ways, having
recognised that Government and Enterprise is not interested in
centralising storage on third party storage; and they're backing
slowly but carefully away the entire concept, and more towards
in-house solutions for Government and Enterprise. Or at least, that's
what one would be hoping. If you're right and I'm wrong, we certainly
will have to start kicking up a fuss.

Apart from that, a worry for me is that Ireland is setting a
precedent. Most countries are viewing Microsoft's new licencing
regimes with scepticism, and are tending to distance themselves from
it. I imagine a few of the smaller countries will now think to
themselves: "Well, if it's ok for good old 'e-hub' Ireland, it's
probably ok for us". (If only they knew.) And you can be sure that if
they're not thinking it, Microsoft will helping them towards drawing
the conclusion.

adam


[DISCLAIMER: I'm not a Microsoft knocker per-se, even if I do come
across as one, I'm an OSS advocate. There's a difference, it's just
that unfortunately there has to be some crossover.]

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