[LINK] [UK] MP warns against Microsoft monopoly in e-gov services'

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

MP warns against Microsoft monopoly in e-gov services
'Those who don't use Windows should simply not bother'
By Kablenet
Thursday 11th October 2007 09:09 GMT
The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/11/e-government_services_microsoft/

Citizens are being excluded from e-government services because they 
don't have the right software, an MP has warned.

Liberal Democrat MP Dr John Pugh believes the government is unwittingly 
creating a Microsoft monopoly in its delivery of online services 
because, in many cases, the public can only access them by using the US 
company's Windows software.

Speaking to GC News, Dr Pugh said: "Why can a Mac user not be able to 
apply for benefits online?"

"If a company built a road down which only a Ford car could go, there 
would be an outcry."

In an adjournment debate in the Commons this week, Dr Pugh challenged 
the government's stated position of neutrality and of supporting a 
"level playing field" in the software systems it wishes to see used.

He outlined a "damning" range of preferential treatment, which he said 
was tantamount to advertising and product placement.

During the debate, Dr Pugh said: "The Driving Standards Agency driving 
theory CD-Rom can be used only on Windows computers.

"The Revenue website has limited functionality for the Firefox web 
browser...The Department for Work and Pensions online benefits system 
can be accessed only by those who have a Windows computer.

"Those who have Unix or Linux computers or who use Mac computers should 
simply not bother."

In response, Treasury minister Angela Eagle said the government had made 
increasing use of open source software, which is now playing a key role 
in the delivery of some high profile IT projects.

She said the key online portal, Directgov, accessed by 6.5 million users 
a month, successfully uses open source products. Also a significant part 
of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's electronic vehicle 
licensing system is delivered through open source components.

"Some open source projects cannot meet our needs for quality or 
security, and we are not prepared to compromise on those," she added.

This article was originally published at Kablenet
<http://www.kablenet.com/kd.nsf/FrontpageRSS/25E8EFB1BACE32F480257370005A831A!OpenDocument>

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Sydney Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au