Gov to be ran on 100% free software
Premise: Software is licensed to distribute the overhead of its initial development, the cost of which few organizations could afford. Because all government software purchases are made with public funds, the public should be licensed to use it.
Proposition: All future investments are to be made in software that is licensed to grant use and source code access to all governed subjects. Security will be maintained with the use of trusted concepts, including asymmetric cryptography, and not rely on the obscurity of closed source software. Where viable further development of existing operating systems and applications will be funded. Where not viable, or where competition is lacking, new projects will be originated. No patents will be granted for pubic works. Release of existing patents will be used as bargaining in the contract bidding process.
Opinion: The ability of corporations and individuals to support themselves by developing software will not be impeded. On the contrary, the funding will be fair market representations of what the development is worth. The only thing that will change is that public will receive direct benefit from having paid for the software. The result will be a new renaissance in software advancement. We will also realize boons in hardware utilization and life cycle extension, helping to relieve the e-waste crisis.
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RichardBronosky commented
@jdarius, what is the problem statement that the internet solves? Is it not by the same logic a solution in search of a problem? I expect my that proposal, like the internet, would yield benefits that could not be imagined before its fruition.
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Max Hodak commented
Would this proposition imply that Microsoft Office would become off-limits?
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jdarius commented
> Because all government software purchases are made with public funds, the public should be licensed to use it.
Not logically valid.
What is the problem statement that your suggestion solves? You sound like you have a solution in search of a problem.