Vienna offers open source option: The city of Vienna in Austria has outlined a plan to begin migrating its staff's desktop PCs to open source software (OSS) this year. The municipal authority said that employees would be given the option of switching from Microsoft Office 2000 to OpenOffice.org and from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Linux. Vienna's IT department said it had identified 7,500 out of 16,000 desktop PCs that could be switched to OpenOffice.org, of which 4,800 could migrate to Linux. The IT department will install the new software free of charge, and departments will have lower bills if they choose to make the switch. However, Erwin Gillich, Vienna's head of IT, told newswire ZDNet that it was unlikely that more than a few hundred users would make the switch to OSS in the first year. Departments who wish to switch can begin doing so from May or June this year. A number of other European cities have made moves towards implementing open source software recently, including Paris, Munich, and Bergen in Norway.
UK thinktank calls for new e-gov agenda: An independent UK thinktank has called for the establishment of a new agenda for local authority e-government, reports Kablenet.com. The New Local Government Network (NLGN) has launched a report which says that councils should take a new approach toward e-government in order to boost performance and efficiency, improve online service delivery, and become "proactive" in linking with local communities through e-democracy. The report, "The Modernisers' Tale: why modernisation in local government must continue," details a number of recommendations to help keep local councils on track with regard to modernisation. The NLGN advises local authorities to try to "switch off non-electronic methods of dealing with the council," while at the same time maintaining access to the council for people without direct access to technology. The thinktank also suggested that councillors should set up personal websites that are free from the political restrictions that are currently placed on them.
Microsoft appoints UK technology officer: Software giant Microsoft has created the role of "National Technology Officer" (NTO) for its UK division. Jerry Fishenden, a Microsoft employee since 1997, has been appointed to the position, which involves developing and promoting the software company's strategy in the public sector market. The creation of the UK role means that Microsoft has now established such positions in 15 countries. Microsoft's NTOs typically focus on areas including security, privacy, interoperability and standards, technical computing and innovation. Before joining Microsoft, Fishenden worked in the public sector for 20 years, including positions as head of networks at the House of Parliament and as associate director of IT for the National Health Service. Fishenden told newswire Silicon.com that the particular issues he would be focusing on include identity management and collaboration across government to support the Gershon Efficiency Review.
EDS wins five US government contracts: IT services giant EDS has won five new contracts with the US government, plus an extension on an existing one, in relation to electronic travel services. Together, the contracts are valued at over USD200 million and come under the General Services Administration's eTravel Service contract vehicle. The new contracts are with the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs, and the International Trade Commission, while the Department of Agriculture expanded its current contract with EDS. The contracts are for the provision of e-travel services through EDS's FedTraveler.com website. FedTraveler.com provides a set of management tools designed for travel planning and authorisation, making reservations, processing expense vouchers, and detecting travel card fraud, along with reporting and auditing functions. Last year, the National Science Foundation, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice all selected EDS to cater for their travel needs.
Canada provides satellite link-up for remote areas: Three Canadian provinces are using satellite technology to bring public services to remote areas. Thirty communities in Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec will be connected up to a broadband network under an initiative known as the Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network. The initiative is the first inter-provincial, community-owned and operated broadband satellite network in Canada, and was set up in partnership with Telesat and Industry Canada, who together provided technology and assistance for the project worth about CAD32 million (EUR20 million). The network will be used by the federal government to provide video, audio and data services to communities in northern Canada, including telehealth services, e-government services and education services. Among the activities made possible through the link-up are medical consultations and justice hearings via videoconference.
Autor: Sylvia Leatham
Quelle: ElectricNews, 26.01.2005
