AGIMO [Releases] Open-Source Software Draft

The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) has outed the draft of its open-source software guide, following a change to its policy forcing agencies to consider free and open software as seriously as proprietary offerings.

The draft, published to the AGIMO blog yesterday by first assistant secretary Policy and Planning Glenn Archer, serves as an update to a document first released in 2005. The new draft defines open-source software for government departments and explains what needs to be considered when looking at procuring open-source software for agency use.

In her foreword, Ann Steward, chief information officer for the Australian Government, said that open-source offers government departments increased interoperability and greater cost savings versus proprietary operating systems. "This guide provides practical information to assist agencies assess open-source software solutions, including the key issues to consider when procuring open-source software," Steward added.