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English => News => Topic started by: Redaktion on April 14, 2026, 05:01:38

Title: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: Redaktion on April 14, 2026, 05:01:38
France's government is shifting from using Windows to Linux. The change comes as part of an effort to abandon non-European digital services and reduce technological reliance on outside countries, specifically the United States.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/France-goes-FOSS-opts-for-Linux-instead-of-Windows-for-government-computers.1273276.0.html
Title: Re: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: toto1234 on April 14, 2026, 07:25:45
It will, of course, turn out into a catastrophe.

The french government is notorious for botching every single IT/tech project it undertakes

It's also not the first time this has happened.
Years ago, some french city halls tried this exact same move and it was terrible, and had to rollback to Microsoft in the end.
Title: Re: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: Congratulations on April 14, 2026, 08:18:53
toto1234, just because it was terrible (if it was), doesn't mean one has to give up and never try again.
Title: Re: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: heffeque on April 14, 2026, 09:37:02
Quote from: Congratulations on Today at 08:18:53toto1234, just because it was terrible (if it was), doesn't mean one has to give up and never try again.
This.
Title: Re: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: Year of desktop Linux? on April 14, 2026, 10:15:43
This could potentially have a ripple effect of many other EU countries doing it if it's successful, which would be huge.

They might do it correct this time since it seems more like a national effort now rather than just one small town or city.
Title: Re: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: Trent on April 14, 2026, 12:09:17
I want it to succeed, but I really doubt. I worked in government organizations, you really need to apply an enormous amount of efforts to change all these established for years processes, tied to Windows. Their performance will drop significantly and it will take 10+ years to switch. Ideally they will need some dev team to tailor ,whatever linux distro they choose, for their needs. I hope that they understand that.

More likely they will struggle and wait until Trump is replaced and new president becomes friendly with EU again and they will return to MS..
Title: Re: France goes FOSS, opts for Linux instead of Windows for government computers
Post by: heffeque on April 14, 2026, 12:35:31
Quote from: Trent on Today at 12:09:17I want it to succeed, but I really doubt.
You underestimate French's stubbornness.