June 7th, 2007
Navy sets course for open source software
The Chief Information Officer of the Department of Navy’s IT portfolio has endorsed the use of open source software.
In a memo via the Open Source Software Institute, Navy CIO Robert Carey gave guidance on open source software (OSS). Carey wrote that open source software is a key part of the Navy’s technology plans. Linux.com detailed the move.
“The Department of Navy CIO recognizes the importance of OSS to the war fighter and need to leverage its benefits. The misconception that OSS is neither a commercial off-the-shelf nor government off-the-shelf solution has hindered the Department of Navy’s ability to leverage the benefits of OSS methodology. Because of this misconception, OSS has not received equal consideration during the software acquisition process.”
Now the Navy’s memo isn’t news considering the Department of Defense has made open source software a big priority. However, it does show that the momentum is building for open source software in the government.
Carey adds that the Navy will treat OSS as off the shelf software when it meets the definition of a commercial item. OSS has to meet all of the federal and Department of Defense policies, but it’s clear Carey is pushing open source.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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