French deputies will find their PCs equipped with the Linux operating system, OpenOffice.org productivity suite, and Firefox browser, as well as an open source email client, after a study by the assembly president, Jean-Louis Debre, showed that the software was up to scratch and could produce cost savings.
The study followed growing pressure on the French public sector to look at open source alternatives after a report by French deputy, Bernard Carayon, was published in October recommending France adopt the Open Document Format and open source software.
Carayon’s study was commissioned by the French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin to investigate how French companies could increase their competitiveness through involvement in international standards.
Elections to select the next National Assembly will be held on June 10 and 17, 2007.
