PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUUG OPPOSES OPEN SOURCE PREFERENCE LAWS

AUUG opposes preference legislation and outlines actions necessary to level the playing field of Government IT procurement.

SYDNEY, Australia -- 20 August, 2003 -- AUUG, the Australian UNIX and Open Systems User Group, today announced its opposition to legislation that gives preference to Open Source Software. AUUG believes Open Source should be considered on its merits and desires the establishment of a "level playing field" for Open Source Software within public sector IT procurement.

Open Systems based on Open Standards are preferred for public sector IT deployment. In recent years widespread disregard of this issue has led to the proliferation of technology, such as proprietary protocols and file formats, that locks agencies into single vendor solutions. This acts to reduce competition - driving up costs and stifling innovation.

AUUG welcomes the recent initiatives of leading agencies such as NOIE and NSW OIT, in particular NOIE CEO John Rimmer's statement that in effect agencies are already obliged to implement Open Source Software where it provides a fit-for-purpose, value-for-money solution to their needs.

The rapid rise of Open Source Software has re-energized Open Systems technology and it now provides a strong alternative. However, inertia due to the sheer mass of non Open Systems currently in use is a major continuing factor in tilting the playing field. AUUG believes that it is insufficient for Government to passively rely on market forces and that lead Government agencies must be proactive in seeking to level the playing field. AUUG believes the following actions are needed:

• Laws or stricter guidelines that ensure that existing Open Systems rules are weighted heavily during procurement.
• Laws or stricter guidelines that ensure that Open Source is seriously considered during all procurements.
• Programs that actively encourage local Open Source and Open Systems related industry development.
• Examination of procurement policies to ensure Open Source based business models are not excluded.
• Training to ensure that lack of knowledge within agencies is not a barrier to change.

These issues will be a focus of attention at "AUUG 2003 - Open Standards, Open Source, Open Computing", especially during the "Open Computing for Government" stream featuring keynotes from Steve Alford, General Manager, Information Management Strategy and Governance at the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE) and Dr Elizabeth Gordon-Werner, Manager, Electronic Strategic Projects at the NSW Office of Information Technology as well as presentations from several other agencies. AUUG 2003 will be held at the Duxton Hotel, Milsons Point, Sydney 31 August to 5 September 2003. Conference program and speaker topics are available at http://classic.auug.org.au/events/2003/auug2003/

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About AUUG Incorporated

AUUG Inc. is the Australian UNIX and Open Systems User Group, a professional association for end users, corporations, developers and vendors that promotes UNIX(R) and related systems, including Linux and BSD. Dating from 1975, AUUG is a national body with chapters that organise local activities in most capital cities.

Visit http://classic.auug.org.au/
Previous AUUG press releases can be viewed at http://classic.auug.org.au/publications/press/

AUUG Inc.
PO Box 7071
Baulkham Hills BC NSW 2153
Australia
Free Call 1800 625 655, Fax 02 8824 9522
International: Tel +61 2 8824 9511, Fax +61 2 8824 9522
E-mail: auug@auug.org.au
ABN 15 645 981 718

Press Contact
Gordon Hubbard
Treasurer, AUUG Inc.
<Gordon.Hubbard@auug.org.au>
Tel: 02 9659 9590

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