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French police bid adieu to Microsoft software

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

January 30, 2008, 4:51 PM

The Gendarmerie Nationale is dumping Microsoft in the move towards open source software which first began in 2005.

At that time, the only applications transferred to open source were word processing applications. This was followed by the move to open source Internet browsers the following year.

With the transfer to Linux from Windows, the agency will become one of the largest administrators in the world to make the switch. It is no doubt a blow for Microsoft, who controls an overwhelming majority of the IT deployments worldwide.

Gendarmerie Nationale's computers currently run on the Windows XP operating system. They will gradually be transferred to Ubuntu Linux. This year, approximately 5,000-8,000 computers will be switched.

From then on, the agency expects to transition 12,000-15,000 systems per year to Linux so that all will be running on the OS by 2014, according to deputy director Colonel Nicolas Geraud.

He told Agence France Presse that the moved seemed logical considering its previous moves to open source applications. It expects to save about €7 million per year by making the switch.

Other French governmental bodies have already switched to Ubuntu: the National Assembly transitioned all 1,200 PCs to the OS last year.

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By mesiex

posted Feb 1, 2008 - 6:18 AM

Live and let live. Please behave properly in the forum. In 2108 I'm almost sure that we all shall be there where we came from, and in that place there are no nationalities at all.

Score: 0

By DakotaSunRunner

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 9:06 PM

Well not all American's are mouthy bigots. Personally I think the Gendarmerie Nationale was smart for making the change. Microsoft has become too smug lately and pretending to be the only operating system that matters. Open source and Linux/Unix are very good operating system and indeed will save them money. More Americans should learn to use these systems rather than being so lazy and then they too can save money.

I say use whatever you want, it is nobodies business to begin with what another uses.

The problem with this forum on Beta News, is there are a few forum bullies who think they know it all and call others names when you do not agree with them. Well you do not have to agree with them and it matters little in the whole of things what they think.

Just my 2 cents worth and that ain't worth much :)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Feb 1, 2008 - 9:14 AM

Just my 2 cents worth and that ain't worth much :)

I bet it's worth 2 cents!

/can I have my cookie now?

(A lot of people take things *way* too seriously on teh intarwebs. The written word does not translate humor, sarcasm, or witicism very well so when faced with comments that could be regarded in multiple ways it might be best to simply assume the best... Perhaps the forums bullies are just playin' with ya'll. :)

Score: 0

By Morena

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 1:04 PM

wooow
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2336507

Score: 0

By Reverb

posted Feb 1, 2008 - 10:03 AM

@Morena. Spammer. Same message in every
thread.

http://www.spymac.com/details/?2336507
Not interesting - Spam. Garbage wesbsite

Score: 0

By 2ears

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 5:15 AM

As a French I must admit I am concerned by a few comments here.

Has U.S. gone so pround of themselves that they joke other nations for the sole reason they are not U.S. ?

An administration the size of the Gendarmerie Nationale, whatever stupid the French may be, have certainly thought about hiring a few Linux gurus.
But of course you are free to believe that since they are French, they necessarily forgot to do so. I won't try to argue since my QI is necessraily inferior to yours.

Score: 0

By Ryusennin

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 6:09 PM

> Has U.S. gone so proud of themselves that they
> joke other nations for the sole reason they
> are not U.S. ?

You're not the only Frenchy around here and I have to agree with you: many US commentators on BetaNews are more than happy to jump on the nationalist bandwagon at every opportunity.

My main frustration is that I'm not allowed to hate them as much as they like to hate us. You see, I have a few good friends in the States (and even one on this board, shame on me!) who must feel more embarassed than me when they stumble across such xenophobic comments.

Off-topic: I have a Michigan buddy whose car was covered with eggs a few years ago because he was against the war in Iraq. He was called a French ballsucker by his neighbours. Yeah. Now they know better.

Score: 0

By Alexq

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 8:25 AM

Please don't judge all Americans by (unfortunately quite a few) retards spewing nationalistic hatred here. Such morons can be found in any nation.

Score: 0

By 2ears

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 9:07 AM

Unfortunately they can be found in France as well, true.
My concern is that they can be found in that forum also.
BetaNews request us to "keep our responses appropriate and on topic".
I can hardly believe that a post such as "they are frog" is on topic.

Score: 0

By alphatrigon

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 8:07 AM

you should be concerned with France and the french mentality in general. Why else do you think the entire world views the french as pompous and arrogant?
Get your head out of your rectum and have some courage to see what is beyond the shadows. If the french would not allow a company like Amazon to offer lower prices and free shipping, but kept things artificially higher...there's a problem with that.
But you can be like the French during war times and be cowardly...option is yours.

Score: 0

By dhjdhj

edited Jan 31, 2008 - 12:53 PM

Like the attempts by the Culture Ministry to ban english words?

(e.g. http://query.nytimes.com...DF936A25750C0A962958260)

or

http://www.wired.com/cul...tyle/news/2003/07/59674

I actually lived in France for a year --- my favorite example of the pompous and arrogant attribute was experienced almost everytime I went into a restaurant and tried to order food in French (which I was trying to learn). Instead of being appreciative of my attempts to learn their language, almost every waiter just stuck his nose in the air and spoke back to me in condescending English.

I contrast that to my visits to a number of other European countries where EVERYONE acknowledged and appreciated my attempts to speak in their tongue.

The Pink Panther is pretty good too. (grin)

--->you should be concerned with France and the french mentality in general. Why else do you think the entire world views the french as pompous and arrogant?

Score: 0

By dhjdhj

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 12:55 PM

But that was 30 years ago...maybe things have improved....oh wait....I was in Paris last year for a wedding and went into a kiosk on the Champs Elysee to buy a SIM card but as soon as the salesperson heard me talk, she just started b****ing to me about all the problems in the US.

Sigh

Score: 0

By Neoprimal

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 8:56 AM

Odd that a simple article about the French switching from MS to Linux sparks this kind of thing. Prejudice and Racism are still rampant here in the US, no doubt. I can think of a million things that I don't like about my own government here, it doesn't mean I hate it or all Americans. There are things I'm not proud of, and there are things that I am damned proud of. Learn to be tolerant and balanced.

Anyway, my take on it is that's it's a good deal. It's unnecessary to shell out money for an OS when there's a perfectly good FREE alternative for the workplace. Linux may not be the perfect mainstream product quite yet, but it's pretty good for the office environment, and nothing beats free if it's as potent as XP, and it is.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 9:20 AM

Proof sarcasm doesn't translate well on teh intarwebs.

I could go back to using the /sarcasm tag, but then what would these reactionary twists do who apparently have nothing better to do than seek out and expose racism and extreme nationalism wherever it may (or may not) be...

Accusers looking for someone to accuse. w/e

...long as they keep makin' my fries and bread. ;)

Score: 0

By MrFlibble

edited Jan 31, 2008 - 9:25 AM

"As a French I must admit I am concerned by a few comments here.

Has U.S. gone so pround of themselves that they joke other nations for the sole reason they are not U.S. ?

An administration the size of the Gendarmerie Nationale, whatever stupid the French may be, have certainly thought about hiring a few Linux gurus.
But of course you are free to believe that since they are French, they necessarily forgot to do so. I won't try to argue since my QI is necessraily inferior to yours."

Well said.

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 8:54 PM

This is a bit confusing. Are they buying new computers and simply not buying windows with those new machines? Or are they taking the existing machines, wiping xp and simply replacing it with ubuntu?

From what i've seen you can't really buy a computer from an oem without paying the Microsoft tax which is windows. So how much cheaper will the machines be?

Now on the flip side, I guess if you pay a annual dues to Microsoft which is the enterprise account, I guess that would make more sense. Then you simply don't pay to renew, wipe windows and run without worrying if Microsoft is going to come audit them.

Score: 0

By dracodos

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 1:34 PM

Doesn't sound like they're buying new computers, more like converting the curernt hardware over to the new software...

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 12:27 AM

"From what i've seen you can't really buy a computer from an oem without paying the Microsoft tax which is windows."

What do you mean? Ofcourse you can buy a PC without windows...especially if you're a business.

some people...ah nevermind it's just not worth it;/

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 11:35 PM

Dell, HP, and Lenovo all offer PC's on the business/gov't nonprofit/edu side without Windows.

Score: 0

By Joco

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 8:41 PM

May be that could make sense, if most of the office works are basic needs that don't require the full feature set of MS Office.

At my work, we have Office 2007. I use may be about 5% of Word, Excel, PowerPoint (some colleagues use even less). If I was given a more basic office suite, that would probably make no difference.

Score: 0

By molumen

posted Feb 1, 2008 - 6:39 PM

True, most of office users don't need all the tons of features of MS office. We for example use OpenOffice at work for about 3 years now (we switched from MS Office) and no one actually feels a difference, it's as flawless as before.
Actually I am personally really happy about the french gendarmerie move to Ubuntu, it is a very clever step because:
a) software upgrade costs are gone (not only the operating system is free, office software is free too now)
b) hardware upgrades are reduced (next switch to a MS operating system like Vista would have trigered tons and tons of hardware upgrades)
c) they will probably switch from proprietary office file format to ODF, like lots of other european institutions.

Score: 0

By dracodos

edited Jan 30, 2008 - 8:27 PM

This could really be interesting and may finally prove if Linux can/can not be a viable alternative in large scale beyond the current niche market it holds.

If they do it right they'll have already hired enough linux staff to help with the initial support and user transition and already begun training the current MS based staff for that transition over.

The hardest part user wise is going to be getting comfortable with the new interface. App wise probably won't matter much at this point.

Initially, security wise, they better have at least a few good linux gurus at the helm. Afterwards we'll hear about if it holds up or crashes down right before their eyes.

Open source has its benefits but it ain't perfect.

Score: 0

By dracodos

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 1:32 PM

I looked through those now that you both mentioned. Google i figured, Amazon i forgot about. Largo being the City of progress has obviously made it work to their advantage.

So large scale works, my bad. Companies and local governments CAN do it and save.

What about an entire nation? Successfully switching from MS to Linux... at 15,000 per year... for the next 6-7 years? Thats the thing?It's the logical next step. Has THAT ever been done before? I don't think so. If a entire nation can switch and make it work... we'll have to see how it pans out for them after 2014.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 11:36 PM

Amazon and Google have open source for the vast majority of their internal desktops. Amazon has open source for their phone system, as well.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 9:37 PM

Largo Florida has been doing it for YEARS now.

http://www.google.com/se...a+linux&btnG=Search

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 6:40 PM

Very smart move by the French. Why send millions of Euros annually to M$ for the same old OS and Office suite year after year after year.

Plus, by using Linux you can have control over your data and not be locked into M$ proprietary formats and protocols.

This is long term, strategic, thinking. Too bad most governments and companies only think short term and send a large chunk of their money to M$.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 12:33 AM

"Plus, by using Linux you can have control over your data and not be locked into M$ proprietary formats and protocols."

I dunno Pit...we use windows and we have total control of our data. Matter of fact, some of our data isn't even on a Windows server.

OH I just realized what you did there, you replaced the S in MS with a $ again...it's brilliant! Almost as if, again, you were implying that it's a company that wants to make money (unlike Nintendo, right pit?). LOL you're a genius!!

Score: 0

By zridling

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 5:22 AM

["...we use windows and we have total control of our data."]

Not really. Try opening a Microsoft created file before 1997, or 1995. Can't do it. And you certainly cannot interoperate with other companies unless they're using the same Microsoft software you use.

So no, you do not have control. Microsoft controls your data, and they can make all of it obsolete. The current MS-OOXML spec in use right now for Office 2007 is not the same one Microsoft proposed to ISO. And in case you haven't kept up with the news, Microsoft will not support files being saved in Office 2007's MS-OOXML format when it's changed.

'Blip' goes your data.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 12:38 PM

Ummm... try to FIND a Linux created file (not one of some geek) before 1997 or 1995. Dude, this is a decade ago!

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 11:42 AM

I dunno...My company deals with dozens of companies, and our users are heavy excel users. I've yet to hear any reports of some kind of compatibility problem...but hey, if you say so.... :)

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 6:58 PM

If you knew one thing what you were talking about you might be scary. The newest features in the MS office suite is nothing short or amazing. Your rabid hate makes you blind to the reality that office in the office is amazing when it is fully used. Full support of IP phones is just the start of what MS has to offer. I don't expect you to get past your hate to see the truth. Go ahead and use your none Windows PC so you can play games, oh wait you can't play the top games on that platform.

TROLL

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 9:53 PM

put down the M$ cool-aid. Are you saying there is no IP Phone support under GNU/Linux? Wow.

Most people who work, don't play games at work, so what is your point again?

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Jan 30, 2008 - 9:12 PM

It's actually very possible these days to use Linux in a corporate environment, I do it every day. I still keep a Windows VM for a few administrative tasks that are Windows specific, but that's part of the role that I play.

You don't need Windows to have IP phones btw.

As for games, I have HL2, and many others that work just fine, but we are talking corporate desktops remember? We don't want games on those computers anyway.

Here are a few reasons why Linux could be a success on the corporate desktop:

1. Security, namely: LUKS (hard disk encryption, can be done at install time) and IPTables

2. OpenOffice - For those few that DO need > 5% of Office's features, give them a Windows PC.

3. Java - Many corporate wide apps are Java, and they will run just fine on Linux.

4. Pidgin - Connects to pretty much anything, even Sametime.

5. Jabber - Enterprise capable messaging

6. Coccinella - Jabber whiteboard client

7. Evolution (or Google Apps) - Enterprise Email

7. Wine - Many Windows apps run just fine.

8. Asterisk - OSS PBX / IP phone solution

9. VPNc - Connects to pretty much anything, tokens work fine too.

10. LDAP - AD without MSFT.

11. VMWare - Yep, it'll run Windows too.

Now, I'm not going to state that Linux is the right answer for all corporate needs because that would be downright silly, however it is absolutely capable in many cases.

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 10:44 AM

You seemed to bypass all what MS can do with the IP Phones. I never said that you needed MS for IP phones just what they can add to it. If you are concerned about security at the desktop turn on bitlocker, done. Some day you might get people to listen if you were to just grow up a little and stop the childish hate speeches about MS. Or should I say M$, Once again a very childish and yet sadly expected response from you.

Score: 0

By fewt

edited Jan 31, 2008 - 10:48 AM

I'm sorry SGD, but what hate speech? The only person that's preaching hate here is you. I didn't say "M$", I said MSFT which is their ticker symbol. If you were a bit less childish and read the comment you might have noticed that.

Thanks.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 1:03 PM

I think he meant to reply to El Dingo... (The post above yours.)

Score: 0

By sjc001

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 7:40 PM

You really shouldn't be looking in a mirror while you're saying that. [rolleyes]

If I wanted to just play games I'd get a console. BTW, you can play many Windows' games under Linux using WINE and Cedege. Right now I'm playing NFS: Most Wanted, and I had NFS: Carbon on for a bit as well. You can even play WoW. Every day more and more Windows' game are able to be played under Linux. Some game makers are even starting to port their newer games over to Linux as well.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 9:09 AM

You can even play WoW

ROFLMAO...

Lowest graphic settings, choppy, mouse button issues, *much* config editing.

Sure. But it easier and *better* in Windows. :)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 6:40 PM

*laughing*

This should be highly amusing....

No corporate backing, no contract support, no guarantees. No one to blame but themselves when this more than likely fails.

They just made themselves a target. A big one. And unless they have the tech support gurus, the infrastructure planning and the employee training to back it up, they're screwed. Big time.

And let's face it, their French. ;)

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 9:09 PM

However if they do have it, namely the proper IT staff to support it, it'll be a success. ;-)

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 12:35 AM

Yea it probably will...but how much would they have spent on support and training? Probably more then they would have on Windows licensing. :)

Linux guys generally cost more then windows guys.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 8:15 AM

Linux guys generally have a better understanding of the platforms they are supporting though, and are worth the extra money.

It just pays to be a Linux guy. :-D

Score: 0

By cranbers

edited Jan 30, 2008 - 9:01 PM

Well, then its going to cost the same. All that money going to antivirus, patch tuesday rollouts and annual dues will go to the linux community that is Linux gurus getting a job.

Its a win win for the entire industry all the way around. Linux gets some cash, leads to linux administrators, leads to news presses where Microsoft lost another multiple million dollar contract to open source.

Good for them.

How many employees do you know don't need help with their windows machiens? Oh yeah here is a virus, and oh yeah here is some spyware and oh yeah here is some other damn thing messing up the windows machine.

Oh yeah, once linux works it works. last time I checked the average employee probably couldn't even tell they were using linux. They surf the web, do email, write a letter or memo. That is about it. No one said they are going to need to dig in the command line.

You are the only hater here pc tool, that much is clear.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 12:41 AM

"How many employees do you know don't need help with their windows machiens? Oh yeah here is a virus, and oh yeah here is some spyware and oh yeah here is some other damn thing messing up the windows machine."

This just doesn't make any sense. Are you telling me you have employees calling the helpdesk because they have a virus? Last time I checked, most viruses won't advertise on the screen "Hey, you have a virus call the helpdesk!". Ha...if you work for a company that doesn't have an antivirus solution already rolled out, then quit ASAP, there are many other things this company is probably doing wrong. And don't tell me "well if they had linux, they wouldn't need an antivirus"...that's just dumb.

"last time I checked the average employee probably couldn't even tell they were using linux"

Last time you checked? Really? Do me a favor...replace all your employees Windows PC's with a Linux PC, and tell me how many phone calls you get the next day. According to you it should be very little right? I mean, the average employee can't even tell...

"They surf the web, do email, write a letter or memo. That is about it"

What company do you work for?? I wish my company could make money with all its employees doing nothing but surfing the web and doing email.

Score: 0

By Belarathon

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 7:43 PM

What you said.

Score: 0

By sjc001

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 7:43 PM

Look at tool. He's really full of himself yet again.

BTW, its "they're French....." If you're going to make fun of another people, and their language, you better make sure that you actually know how to read and write in your own, retard.

Score: 0

By pforbes

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 6:28 PM

IMHO hackers are anonymous but industrial. No need of marketing: a lot of people buy a new computer every three years for security reasons. The search for freedom in Europe began with the french revolution. Maybe this is a second one.

Score: 0

By DatabaseBen

edited Jan 30, 2008 - 5:54 PM

well, the french have always known that to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs.

however, i think that the french police should think twice about the move.

although microsoft dominates the world, it does spend millions researching flaws and vulnerabilities in the software that hackers would exploit.

it is doubtful that there is any one organizatin that will spend millions in looking for flaws and vulnerabilities in linux and third party software that is mostly open source.

being that said, having linux on a police computers would be like having a fox in the hen house.

the french police has a lot to worry about protecting the public, but who will protect them and the confidential data....?

then the consequences of a hacker accessing the police networks undetected will allow the opportunity to keep drilling into other governmental systems, using the police network as a portal.

Score: 0

By Scotch Moose

edited Jan 31, 2008 - 8:13 AM

"it is doubtful that there is any one organizatin(sic) that will spend millions in looking for flaws and vulnerabilities in Linux and third party software that is mostly open source."

Take a look the United States National Security Agency, the NSA, who built SELinux, that is security enhanced Linux, and published the source code like good GNU citizens. Even the French get to benefit from SELinux. They might not have spent millions. I don't get to see the NSA's budget. But apparently Linux is easier to secure than the want-to-be secure operating systems with proprietary secret source code.

The first rule of security: Secret does not mean secure.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 2:16 PM

Uh..would this be the NSA of the US, who's government is using Windows?

I cannot recall the last time I heard about a major security exposure (that didn't involve a stupid human trick, that would happen regardless of OS) in ages.

Just because they built it, doesn't mean they use it. It also has pretty much zero bearing on this article since the frogs^WFrench are going to be using Ubuntu.... (Gawd, I hope they are modifying it heavily...)

Score: 0

By Program86

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 5:20 PM

...make a shi*tty product and people will eventually leave and move to something that actually works. DUH!

Score: 0

By sjc001

posted Jan 30, 2008 - 7:44 PM

Tell me about. For the first time in nearly 25 years I actually enjoy using my system now without the constant dread of having something go wrong for the least little cause.

Score: 0

By mbreslin

posted Jan 31, 2008 - 1:17 AM

Has anyone considered that the French government might possibly be concerned that MS has back-doors programmed into their OSes for use by the NSA? One way to eliminate that possibility would be open source.

Score: 0

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