[Klug-general] How does Kent County Council select software?

[Jonathan Kaye]

Hi all,
Once again a big big thank you for putting me on to ebuyers. I bought an
HP Laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed for a very reasonable price. I'm
well satisfied.

Now to business. I  have signed on as a volunteer (Time2Give) to the
Kent Libraries in the role of IT-Buddy. I'll be doing my "buddying" at
the libraries at Margate and Westgate. In addition I'll also be leading
a group on the theme of "computer learning  for the retired" which will
meet monthly starting in October. I went to Margate Library yesterday to
do my IT-buddying but hadn't been warned that all the computers would be
down for this week. Why? To prepare for the installation of new software
to  replace the outdated XP setup.

I enquired about the new software and learned to my shock that they are
not using free software but rather "upgrading" to Windows 7. Why someone
would buy proprietary software of extremely poor quality, when free
software (free as in freedom) is available at no cost, eludes me. All
over Europe cities are moving to replace proprietary software with free
software. I was pleased to learn that the city of Udine in Italy, a city
with which I have a strong emotional attachment -- that's where I had my
aortic valve transplant operation -- is going the free software route.

I would like to pursue this issue with the relevant authorities and so I
would like to tap your collective brains.
1. Can anyone fill me in with the background of this decision?
2. Has their been any justification for this decision that is available
to the public?
3. Who is responsible for this decision and how can they be contacted.
4. Is the any other advice from KLUG members about who I can contact or
what I can do?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Jonathan
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