Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s most northern state, is starting its switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, and is planning to move from Windows to Linux on the 30,000 PCs it uses for local government functions.

Concerns over data security are also front and center in the Minister-President’s statement, especially data that may make its way to other countries. Back in 2021, when the transition plans were first being drawn up, the hardware requirements for Windows 11 were also mentioned as a reason to move away from Microsoft.

Saunders noted that “the reasons for switching to Linux and LibreOffice are different today. Back when LiMux started, it was mostly seen as a way to save money. Now the focus is far more on data protection, privacy and security. Consider that the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) recently found that the European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 breaches data protection law for EU institutions and bodies.”

38 points

Consider that the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) recently found that the European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 breaches data protection law for EU institutions and bodies.”

Good news :-)

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13 points

Lol, it took a while to see the mountain. Also, they should sue Microsoft, if data was transfered and stored in US… AH, no. There’s probably the usual default dialog that you click ‘Agree’ on blindly. Anyway, good news. I hope they invest the money on further development, sponsoring, support, and training of employees.

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34 points

There’s a learning curve, but really, every large org can save so much money that way.

Heck, most proprietary apps are web apps these days anyway, so it really doesn’t hurt running Linux except for a few specialty roles. Just run Mac or Windows for those areas, and everyone else gets Linux.

I would love it if my work computer was Linux, 90% of my work is on a terminal anyway, it would save me from having to SSH to a Linux server every day.

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15 points

Honestly, large org could pay FOSS developers for maintenance etc and it would be still a better deal all around.

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32 points

Again? Isn’t this the third time or something? Then Microsoft comes along with a briefcase of Euros and the “problem” goes away. Sombody please correct me if I’m mis-remembering.

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35 points

What you describe happened in Munich, at least. This is in another state.

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7 points

@cyberwolfie
Sensibly munich switched back to open source in 2020 :)
@kingmongoose7877

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7 points

Yes, Munich, thank you! 👍

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7 points

Maybe they’re looking to get a big Microsoft contract. Switching to FOSS attracts suits bringing cash.

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2 points

It’s not a lot of stuff really going on in foss/anti-bigtech

If they do it in all states at once there will be nothing to talk about in years

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23 points

Am I the only one who is getting sick and tired of those AI generated images below every article?

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11 points

I think this one is kinda funny

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0 points
*

It features the flag of the German empire that nowadays is only used by Nazis and “sovereign citizens”.

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4 points

Tell me about it, I’ve worked with AI generation images and the aesthetic is so easily recognized its and lazy addition to journalism

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1 point

Yeah, I don’t really care it’s not like I look at it anyways

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14 points

The new German Microsoft headquarters will be in Schleswig-Holstein i guess.

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10 points

It’s strange how that happens when a government starts to consider other options.

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