Information Policy

UK: Open Source Software Trials in Government: Final report

This report by OGC summarises the key findings from activities looking at open source software (OSS) trials and also takes into account information obtained from other public sector activity in OSS planning and deployment in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/oss/Report-v8c.htm

Enabling a Digitally United Kingdom

The UK’s e-marketplace is one of the most diverse and
vibrant in the world. By March 2004, 53% of UK households
had digital television, up from 50% in the previous quarter.
53% of UK adults now have internet access at home, up
from 50% in November 2003; and 25% of these adults now
connect to the internet using broadband. By the end of April
2004, the UK had reached almost 4 million broadband users,
with over 40,000 new connections each week.
Significant business innovation and investment, combined
with public investment, has helped to put the UK firmly on
the road to becoming a digitally United Kingdom. Opportunities to get online are almost universally available:
96% of Britain’s population are aware of a place where they can readily access the internet, whether at home,
at work, through mobile technology, or at a public access point (including over 6,000 UK online centres). The
UK’s knowledge economy infrastructure now ranks alongside global leaders, with a recent independent study
placing the UK second worldwide in terms of e-readiness, just behind Denmark, but ahead of the United States
and Japan.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publications/reports/digital/digitalframe.pdf

83% of French citizens don't know what e-government is

According to a new survey, over 80% of French citizens do not know what “electronic administration” (e-government) means. However, almost half of them have already used an e-government service.
Commissioned by the European Electronic Administration Forum – France’s largest e-government event, to be held in Paris on 15-16 December 2004 – the survey was carried out by opinion research firm BVA in early October among a representative sample of citizens.
http://europa.eu.int/ida/en/document/3402/194

User Guide to Using the Linux Desktop - Interactive (Beta 1)

UNDP-APDIP's International Open Source Network (IOSN), has released
for public review a preview of upcoming interactive mulitmedia guides
to using the Linux desktop, based on the popular User Guide to Using
the Linux Desktop printed training materials.

http://www.iosn.net/training/end-user-manual/interactive

UK report says Linux is 'viable'

UK government departments moved a step closer to using open-source operating systems such as Linux after a study found that they were "viable" products.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3960025.stm