- MEMBERS RECEIVE ACCESS TO:
- CIO Leadership Group
  CIO Leadership Task Force provides a unique forum for Chief Information Officers from the largest cities and counties in the U.S. to privately interact, both through an online collaboration site and in regular face-to-face meetings. It offers these leaders an on-going opportunity to share information and experiences, and to discussing IT challenges facing larger community jurisdictions.
- Digital Infrastructure
  Task Force
  The Digital Infrastructure Task Force is a collaborative networking group for government IT professionals. Through timely exchange of information and experiences, both online and through regular face to face meetings, municipal and regional government members help each other to make smarter technology decisions for their communities.
- Law Enforcement
  IT Task Force
  The Law Enforcement Task Force is a collaborative networking group for local law enforcement officials from across the nation. In online and regular face to face meetings, both sworn and civilian law enforcement officials come here to discuss technology trends, collaboration and information sharing opportunities within the local law enforcement community.
- Private Events
  and Webinars
- Exclusive White Papers
- JOIN:
- Public Sector
- Private Sector
Digital Communities Home
Introduction
Feature Articles
Local Government Events
Contact
Digital Communities Blogs
Digital Citizen Pulse
Broadband Nation
Web 2.0 Convergence
In the Trenches
International Beat
Notes from a City CIO
Intelligent Communities
MuniGov 2.0
Surveys and Awards
Digital Cities Survey
Digital Counties Survey
DGAA Awards
Best of the Web Awards
Reference and
Resource Library
White Papers
Exclusives
Webinars
Best Practices
Digital Communities
Special Focus
Current Issue
Past Issues
Subscribe

Digital Communities
Industry Members

Click sponsor logos for whitepapers, case studies, and best practices.

Open Source Promoted in New California Policy

January 13, 2010 By Russell Nichols

California has officially accepted open source software (OSS) as a viable option for state government, and while the move won't exactly deliver the state from its multibillion dollar deficit, departments will have access to free software, which could save a few million dollars, said state Chief Deputy CIO Adrian Farley.

In the official letter issued Jan. 7 from the state CIO's office, the policy establishes the use of OSS in California state government as an "acceptable practice." Farley doesn't know of any other states with similar OSS policies, but he said it's consistent with policies done by the U.S. Department of Defense and the UK government.

"As California's government IT process matures, we think it's important for the state to evolve in terms of the way agencies use software," he said. "[This policy] broadens the sphere of software management to include open source."

The IT policy letter states that the OCIO will add a definition of OSS to the State Administrative Manual (SAM), and that agencies and departments must include OSS as appropriate in their Software Management Plans. The policy, Farley added, requires departments to use OSS with the same standards they apply to proprietary software.

"It's not like we're giving agencies carte blanche to throw up any kind of OSS that they want," he said, adding that the policy is basically "normalizing" OSS for government use, "a framework for departments to use OSS out of the shadows, more or less."

How will open source save the state money?

Departments automatically receive funding for software, but Farley said some agencies tend to overspend on pricey products. But the OSS policy allows departments to use free software "in lieu of more expensive content management tools," Farley said, which can save a few million dollars.

In some cases, users might pay for services or added support features. A department with a strong IT core could handle necessary support without paying, Farley said, but others might need to hire staff or purchase a higher level of service.

| More

Open Source Policies in San Francisco and California Take Different Paths

Add Your Comment

Name *

Comment *

You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. We reserve the right to remove comments that are considered profane, vulgar, obscene, factually inaccurate, off-topic, or considered a personal attack.

In Our Library

White Papers | Exclusives Reports | Webinar Archives | Best Practices and Case Studies

Identity and Access Management Considerations: Gain insight into enterprise identity and access management (IAM) trends and a unified approach that can simplify identity and access management before, during, and after your organization implements cloud-based services.
Document Driven Process Automation and Human Services: By the Center for Digital Government

Read this Center for Digital Government issue to find out how document-driven process automation can drastically accelerate workflow in state and local government human services agencies.
Using Wireless Technology to Manage and Optimize Government Fleets: Saving Money, Generating Revenues, and Increasing Safety: Using Wireless Technology to Manage and Optimize Government Fleets: Saving Money, Generating Revenues, and Increasing Safety. The paper discusses the challenges federal, state and local government agencies currently face with their government fleets; how mobile technology can help; considerations when selecting a mobile solutions partner; and the benefits of choosing Sprint. Specifically, Frost & Sullivan highlights Sprint’s fleet expertise, its powerful networks, and advanced partnerships that work in concert to provide government fleets with the ability to: Save money, Generate new revenues, Enhance safety, Help the environment, Increase the availability and transparency of information to the public

Latest From Digital Communities Features

Follow @dcommunities

RSS

Law Enforcement Digital Infrastructure

Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces

427 Members

77 Discussions

84 Files

Latest members Become a member

Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces

669 Members

145 Discussions

150 Files

Latest members Become a member

Featured White Papers & Reports

CIOs Redefine Local Government and Industry Relations

Based off of discussions of the Digital Communities Large Jurisdiction Chief Information Officer (CIO) Working Group, this white paper aims to answer the question, "In today's economic, political and business environment, what constitutes a successful relationship between government and industry?" Cause for Optimism identifies and clarifies the issues that separate government and industry, and begins to find an answer to the question necessary for both to enjoy a successful and prosperous future.

View Full Library

Events

GTC East

Don't miss this opportunity to see the latest in digital government solutions, keep abreast of current policy issues and network with key government executives, technologists and industry specialists.

View All Events