Toronto Municipal Open Source Revolution, anyone ?

[David J Patrick]

    We have a new Mayor. Rumour has it that he uses linux. Whether or 
not that is the true, the time is ripe for a shakeup of municipal 
software usage. Who would spearhead such a move ?
    Oh..I donno.. the Toronto Lunux Users Group ?
    Mayoral candidate John Tory suggested that he could save seven 
million tomorrow simply by getting Microsoft to refund license fees that 
the previous Mayor (Mel) had over purchased. Apparently Mel bought 
ordered twice the licenses actually required. I suggest that Mel 
overspent by more like 90%. Why just return unused licenses, when open 
source solutions are ready to go.
    Here's what I propose;
If the consensus, here at the LUG, is that Toronto is ready for open 
source (and vice versa)
    Lets;
- set up a wikki, where we can collect our thoughts, arguments, links 
and suggestions.
- find out where the thin edge of the wedge might best be placed, within 
the Miller government.
- set up a special meeting/ presentation to pitch the idea and 
demonstrate software candidates. (and let's not repeat the Globe & Mail 
software installation fiasco; hide the pocket protectors and 
propeller-beenies, OK ?)
    If we can get our collective stuff together and sway the new 
Municipal government to go open source, we will save our city millions, 
make our city more open and secure, and set a big example, with Canada's 
largest city.
    whatdya say ?

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