The fifth principle in the policy document stipulates that whenever the Government makes information publicly available through an electronic system, this must be done in such a way that users can access this freely. Users should not be forced to use proprietary software, explains the document. "Government bodies must use standards that do not force end-users to use commercial technology or restrict the users in any other way."
However, the document does not define open standards and the two words are literally mentioned only once. In one of the so-called action lines, number 18, the policy document states that open standards are a requirement for Public Administration''s web sites.
The eGovernment policy was published on 22 January. According to the introduction, it is meant to help the country''s public bodies to build modern electronic services for Croatia''s citizens.
According to a statement on the website of the Central State Administrative Office for e-Croatia (e-Hrvatska), the country is about to begin a first set of pilot projects to make Public Administration services available in electronic form. The pilot should help figure out what methods work best and which standards should apply. "This will be the start of a new communication network to offer electronic public services."
Moreover, the policy document just refers once to the Government''s open source strategy, published in 2006. The Government wants public bodies to procure IT in line with this open source software policy. "Open source software enables more rational distribution of state budget funds because it creates the environment in which domestic suppliers/manufacturers may be more actively involved in any phase of the development, maintenance and use of the information and communications systems."
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Quelle/Source: epractice, 05.03.2009
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