Linux

For governments, I think the priority should be exchange and archive formats. Regardless of what apps and platforms they use, I as a citizen should be able to read that data via free software. Govt should be able to read what I provide to them. Govt in the future should be able to access archives if they have moved to free software.

Next is the platform ( the OS and the web browser ). You can run your proprietary video editing on Linux. If demand on the scale of ALL European gov moved to Linux, I assure you that Linux versions of the software they need would exist ( even if still proprietary ). I use Outlook on Linux every day. I also use Teams ( usually on Edge ). RMS would hate me. But I only archive to AV1 and Opus, never HEVC and AAC. Most of what I use is FOSS.

Least important really is the apps. I have no problem with companies solving problems better than FOSS and getting paid for it. Even by gov. As above though, those that do not need the “better” version should be free to use something else. And the “default” ( for things like basic docs ) should be FOSS too. This is just not as important as the file formats and platforms.

It’s ridiculous that governments don’t use customized Unix/Linux builds.

This is an uphill battle in the face of corporate lobbying, learned fixedness, and, let's face it, unintuitive UX that is found in some selection of FLOSS which is often absent in proprietary counterparts: something that people who are not tech savvy (tech-indifferent?) would prefer not to put up with.

However, I think the last problem can be mitigated with the right kind of focus and funding from such initiatives.

There have been many such initiatives[0][1] over the years in different countries where they eventually lose steam and fade away.

Also, is there an operating system backed or sponsored by EU that is actively maintained, analogous to BOSS[2] and Pardus[3]?

[0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:State-sponsored_Linux_distributions

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_adopters

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharat_Operating_System_Solutions

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardus_(operating_system)

E: typo

PSA: You can support this petition even if you're not an EU resident

If they can keep the MS lobbyists out, it's feasible, just ask Munich.

Adopting Linux is the best way to help ensure European sovereignty from maga meddling.

I've always said governments and public institutions funded by taxpayers should use FLOSS and not be beholden to private companies. Any shortcomings or unfulfilled needs in Linux and FLOSS software would quickly be dealt with once large organizations like these started using it as the default, since they could easily fund whatever features or fixes are needed for significantly less money than they pay for proprietary software (especially now that these days they're forking over annual subscriptions), and thus they'd also have much more control over the making sure the software meets their needs.

It seems like a no-brainer to me. Maybe it wasn't in the earlier days of Linux but not for the last decade or so.

I mean I'd be fine with BSD too. the point should be to force public institutions to use FOSS

My main worry with Linux becoming more popular is that it will be attacked with more malware and viruses. I wouldn't mind though if Linux programmers could come up with better protection.

I like and support the idea in general, but the petition's scope is just too broad and lacks focus. Migrating to Linux? Sure, but let's not force a single distribution across the EU. New EU mobile OS? Nice idea, but there is no solid alternative unless a lot of time and money is spent on developing it.