Dutch Open Source consultation (5)

Decide centrally about desired file formats
The majority of the respondents agree that the government should play a role in the introduction of open standards. A vast majority thinks that the government should set up a list of desirable, less desirable and not desirable file formats, like the Germans have done. At the same time the government should maintain and stimulate the list. A majority also believes that the government should contractually oblige software companies to comply with the desirable software, if they want to be considered for an assignment.

Government software and open source
Asked whether software especially manufactured for Dutch government services should be available without any exception as open software, the answer was positive. Relatively many respondents point to the themes of democratic control and vigilance and plea for openness and transparency. The fact that tax money is being used is for a number of respondents a reason to see this as a moral duty of the government to offer the software as open source.

On the other hand there are also respondents who think that not all software needs to be published as open source. There are situations possible in which closed software could be used. An example is software related to national security or strategic issues.

Not without exceptions. There are situations in which open source software for whatever reason is not the best choice. This is possible as all aspects should be taken into consideration; there should not be a blind choice of open source software. But having said that, every time a decision has to be made open source software should be weighed against a closed format in the light of the objective and the interests of the software, says Alex van der Wolk.

In principle yes; but there are most likely situations in which another choice is more desirable. So it is yes, unless.

Blog Posting Number: 785

Tags: OSS