Open Source Software
14. Open source software is where the source code
(the language in which the programme is written) is freely distributed
with the right to modify the code, on the condition that the redistribution
is not restricted and indeed is obtainable for no more than the
reasonable cost of reproduction. Programmers develop open source
software, often collaboratively, to their own design and groups
of users provide mutual support when using the software. Open
source programmes have no warranty and do not require licences.
The software is usually not in a form that can readily be integrated
with existing systems or compatible with off-the-shelf packages.
Users have to therefore provide their own, often extensive technical
support.[25]
15. In July 2002, OGC and the Office of the e-Envoy
announced that all public sector organisations should consider
open source software when procuring IT. At that time, however,
OGC had advice that open source software was not yet robust enough
for use with the standard office desktop computer. OGC's aim in
laying down a policy in advance of the maturity of the technology
was to enable departments to be ready to adopt the technology
at a point when it became sufficiently robust to be considered
as a cost effective alternative for the office desktop environment.[26]
16. In September 2003, OGC produced more detailed
guidance on the implementation of the policy. In the following
month, they considered that open source software had matured sufficiently
to announce nine proof-of-concept trials with departments and
other public sector organisations to examine whether open source
software could provide a realistic alternative to existing software
products.[27]
17. These trials will evaluate the total cost of
ownership of open source software including migration, support
and retraining costs involved. IBM is providing free of charge
support in the form of personnel and the loan of hardware for
the trials. Oversight of the activity is by OGC and the Office
of the e-Envoy, together with consultancy support to develop a
model to assess the value for money delivered by the trials. The
trials will last for a year and OGC will then make an assessment
on whether all or part of government could benefit from this type
of software, or whether the technology still needs to mature further.[28]
On 8 December 2003 OGC announced a deal with Sun Microsystems
to undertake a series of trials with various public sector bodies
using the company's open source software desktop system. These
trials will build upon the initiative with IBM, with both aimed
at opening up the government IT marketplace to wider competition
and offering significant potential for value for money and other
benefits.[29]
On the risk to departmental IT
systems
18. Asked whether the reliance of departments on
particular software products from a small number of dominant suppliers
left them vulnerable to actions of such suppliers, the OGC said
that Microsoft has made its source code available for governments
to inspect so that they could determine the security of the operating
system. The OGC did not rely on the in-built security of Microsoft
or other software products because Government had its own measures
to protect the integrity of its systems, such as the Government
Secure Intranet, to help prevent viruses and hackers.[30]
23 C&AG's Report, para 2.5 Back
24
Qq 12, 15 Back
25
C&AG's Report, para 1.9 Back
26
Qq 100-103 Back
27
Qq 11, 101 Back
28
Qq 23, 27-28, 30, 102; Ev 13 Back
29
OGC Press Release, Sun Shines on Whitehall, 8 December
2003 Back
30
Qq 99, 105; Ev 13 Back
