Open Source Briefing
Open source
software: briefing to the Minister of State Services - March 2003
4 March 2003
The State Services Commission provided a briefing to the Minister for
State Services on the potential for the use of open source software within
government, and any associated risks or limitations, in March 2003. As a
result of the briefing, it was:
- noted that open source software is generally a viable alternative to commercial software, and that it is increasingly used in both the private and public sectors globally;
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- noted that 'value for money' and 'fitness for purpose' principles should continue to underlie any software procurement decision made by government agencies; and
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- agreed that government agencies, when acquiring, upgrading or relicensing software, be encouraged to assess open source alternatives (where these exist) and should choose based on cost, functionality, interoperability, and security;
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