Obama Looking At Open Source?

An anonymous reader writes "'The secret to a more secure and cost effective government is through Open Source technologies and products.' The claim comes from one of Silicon Valley's most respected business leaders Scott McNealy, a co-founder of Sun Microsystems. He revealed he has been asked to prepare a paper on the subject for the new administration."

Scott McNealy? Funny, that.

[Noryungi]

You mean, this Scott McNealy [techtarget.com]? The one who said Linux is for hobbyists, not enterprise?

Teh funny, it hurts. I even think it's called "eating crow" in U.S.

When you can't beat 'em... Right, Scott?

They are free to use it, of course.

[John Hasler]

Let's just hope they don't try to "help".

Re:Yeah.To answer a request for bid...

[zappepcs]

The summary goes something like this:

This Whitehouse Administration is seeking a x86-64 64 bit computer operating system (OS) that is free of cumbersome and expensive licensing issues, can be secured and is not vulnerable to Windows security flaws, and which the Whitehouse Administration IT department can view, modify, and re-issue the source code in compiled form. ....

My understanding is that the maintenance staff at the Whitehouse are currently working 24/7 to secure any chairs that can be picked up by a single person. ....

In other news, the New president has asked for help installing Seti@home in the Oval Office, and has personally initiated communication with Adobe because he can't view the Zebruder Youtube videos on his laptop.

Obama should meet Stallman

[cryfreedomlove]

I surprised that Obama did not spend more time in his inaugural address on the differences between GPL and Berkely licensing. Oh well, hopefully Stallman will have the time to visit soon and set Obama straight.

Re:The sound you hear

[internerdj]

What's next, "Obama decides to eat breakfast" and we all drool and slaver over THAT piece of minutiae?
Obviously you missed CNNs inauguration coverage yesterday.

Re:Eh. It was about time

[mweather]

Everyone will get it right but the US will screw it up?

Good ole Gartner

[Mateo_LeFou]

'Meanwhile research firm Gartner has warned that the benefits of open source might not deliver unless properly managed.

"Do not expect to automatically save money with open source software, or OSS, or any technology without effective financial management," said analyst Mark Driver. '

...no... it almost sounds like they're saying that if you want to save billions of dollars you have to do .. some .. (no!) ... work!?!?

Re:The sound you hear

[jimicus]

Obviously you missed CNNs inauguration coverage yesterday.

Every UK news channel was equally sycophantic, and he's not even our president except by proxy.

Re:News at 11:

[Frankie70]

President Obama inquires as to whether to use white sheets or beige sheets

Martha Stewart has been asked to prepare a report on that subject for the
new administration.

Re:The sound you hear

[David Gerard]

I knew the BBC had completely run out of space filler when they started recounting Joe Biden's political career (not so much thirty years as one year thirty times over).

Of course he is..

[G Morgan]

What do you think these calls for change were! You cannot change a proprietary program.

Obama will bring change. IDE time outs will end. Gnome will be half way functional. NetworkManager will stop dropping my wireless signal.

Change is coming my friends and I for one welcome our change bringing overlord.

Re:No...

[jo42]

"...have enough knowledge to be able to mess up Windows servers/desktops..."

Fixed it for you.

Re:Open source has been "looked at"

[slazzy]

Wifi, suspend, standby? Sounds like Ubuntu is ready for the desktop, just not the laptop :)