“Most parliaments (80 %) now use at least one open source application. In most cases this type of software is used to run servers (50 %), for webpublishing (36 %), databases (31 %) and email (31 %).”
via Report shows meagre rise in use of open source by parliaments | Joinup.
Well, that’s a start. Document-management and content-management systems were growing most rapidly as e-governments made more/better use of the web. I recommend parliaments use Debian GNU/Linux. It has tools for the web, the server, the database or the client systems of you IT. There is no cripple-ware. It’s all Free Software and you get to run it on whatever you want the way you want and it’s $0. Just install it and run it.
17456
12752
206
3
2
23898 
11855 
11707 
4626 
4259 
1641 
198 
14 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Well, that’s a start…
No doubt about it, Mr. Pogson. Using freeware is great if it works for whatever you are trying to do. I use a few programs myself. Of course 99% of the freeware usage is with Windows and Microsoft provides extensive and free access to versions of Visual Studio and SQL Server to support individual program development.
Clarence Moon again developing the program is one thing being able to get it past government department who is paying is another.
Now this is the kind of report I said is required to know what the heck is going on with FOSS.
That is a government report. We now need a business one equal. Yes we know web stats better count home users than business or government. The methods of webstats are just primed to screw-up up in business setups.
This is documented growth. Of course people like Clarence Moon say freeware. Little point what hope do you think Microsoft will have to replacing it in future. Migration cost is going to be in your way to leave FOSS.