[plug] [link] State of Oregon on the FOSS bandwagon

[Leon Brooks]

    http://newsforge.com/newsforge/03/03/06/018222.shtml?tid=4

    A bill introduced in the Oregon State Legislature on March 5 by Rep.
    Phil Barnhart "requires state government to consider using open
    source software when acquiring new software." Sounds good -- if it
    passes.

    According to the press release we received from the bill's primary
    proponent, Ken Barber, "Unlike California's Digital Software Security
    Act [which has not yet become law - ED.], Oregon's bill does not
    mandate the use of Open Source Software; it only requires that it be
    'on the list' of approved products for State use. It also requires
    state agencies to provide justification to the taxpayers any time
    proprietary software is purchased."

Cheers; Leon