MSNBC: A Law to Mandate Open-Source?

“Computer software could make Bruno Crespo’s job much easier–if
only he had the cash. Crespo, the chief administrator of Callao,
the port city that abuts Lima, has a long wish list: a new tax
database, a computerized property registry and modernized desktop
programs for 200 PCs, half of which run on Windows 95. But like all
city governments in impoverished Peru, scarce revenues can barely
provide for basic public services, let alone computer programs for
municipal workers.

“Crespo says he would need $120,000 just to pay licensing fees
for 200 versions of the latest Windows office suite. That alone is
about four times Callao’s annual computer budget.

“If Congressman Edgar Villanueva gets his way, Crespo might have
some more maneuvering room. Swimming against the Microsoft tide,
Villanueva is pushing legislation to obligate all public
institutions to convert exclusively to open-source software…”

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