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cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/4415864

The petitioner calls for the European Union to actively develop and implement a Linux-based operating system, termed ‘EU-Linux’, across public administrations in all EU Member States.

This initiative aims to reduce dependency on Microsoft products, ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and promoting transparency, sustainability, and digital sovereignty within the EU.

The petitioner emphasizes the importance of using open-source alternatives to Microsoft 365, such as LibreOffice and Nextcloud, and suggests the adoption of the E/OS mobile operating system for government devices. The petitioner also highlights the potential for job creation in the IT sector through this initiative.

[Edit typo.]

  • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    Such odd choices here. Why should the EU make its own version of Linux when they could invest in existing project and kernel development? Given the recent sacking of Russian kernel developers, do we want further politicisation of Linux development?

    the adoption of the E/OS mobile operating system for government devices

    Just no. There are way better solutions than /e/, and suggesting device and OS lock-in like this doesn’t exactly inspire trust. In my eyes, that idiosyncracy detracts from the generally positive suggestions of getting public administrations away from corporate platforms and OSes.

    • thingsiplay@beehaw.org
      0·
      2 days ago

      But then the government is dependent on this private company again. The idea of an own operating system distribution is, to have the control and not being dependent (as far as a company goes). So its not odd at all. In fact, I am shocked that most governments in the world don’t have their own distribution. It just makes sense.

      That also means a specific distribution to learn and count on across all governmental institution across all parts. They can integrate any feature, application and configure it for the EU in a government. Is there such a distribution that exists doing exactly that? Probably not. And creating a distribution does not mean they develop everything from scratch, so its not like impossible to workout.

      If private companies like Steam can do it, then a government should be able too.

      • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        Um, yes. It is odd, and you get some things ass backward:

        But then the government is dependent on this private company again

        To my knowledge Linux is community driven. I can only assume that’s Murena and /e/OS you’re talking about, then? In which case, that was my point.

        I am shocked that most governments in the world don’t have their own distribution. It just makes sense.

        Yeah, makes sense to North Korea, too. I’m not sure they’re an example to follow, though.

        To be clear, nation states controlling the tools that their employees and, potentially, wider population communicate and access information is a dystopian vision, and I cannot agree with that point at all.