U.S. DOT considers switch to Mac, Linux
updated 01:05 pm EST, Mon March 5, 2007
DOT may switch to Mac
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has banned Windows Vista, Office 2007, and Internet Explorer 2007 from its offices, and is considering switching its operations to Macs and PCs running Novell's SuSe Linux. The DOT enacted the ban in mid-January, according to one blogger, because certain applications essential to the agency's function can't run on Windows Vista. Microsoft has attracted intense criticism over its new operating system since it began shipping earlier this year, lacking proper driver software for a wide array of devices and utilizing a new user interface that closely resembles Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger system. Apple is also taking aim at the enterprise market with its upcoming Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard release, which incorporates numerous features that cater to large business needs.
Tax money
03/05, 01:24pm reply
This is better use of our tax money. Why should half of IT's budget be used for fighting MS flaws?
rvhernandez
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Joined: Apr 2005
Makes Little Sense
03/05, 01:45pm reply
I am all for this as well, but if there applications work fine on XP, but won't work on Vista, they most certainly will not work on either Linux or OS X.
dynsight
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Joined: May 2005
parallels
03/05, 02:00pm reply
I don't know if it is suitable to an enterprise environment, but in case you have not heard dynsight, the Macintel's can run both OS X and XP concurrently, when Parallels is installed.
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
overstated
03/05, 02:07pm reply
According to the article quoted in the article quoted in this article (does anyone bother to read the original?), the DOT chief technology officer is "weighing as a possible alternative or complement to Windows Vista" the option of Macs "for a limited group of users." That's a far cry from "switching its operations to Macs...."
jvoskuil
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Joined: Feb 2006
Not Likely
03/05, 02:20pm reply
As a former gov. exec (SES level) in IT, you can be sure that the pressure to conform that will come from the Gov't CIO council, plus MS lobbying with key congressional staffers, will kill any effort before it even gets up any momentum. This will include any "limited group". CIO-types in gov't interested in Macs should do their innovations quietly, with no fanfare or publicity, if they want any flexibility in doing what's best for their department.
fsauer1
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Joined: Jul 2002
"Yellow Journalism"
03/05, 02:29pm reply
Having now read the orginal article, this MaCNN article is out and out misleading. There is no consideration of "switching" to Mac by the DOT. There is no statement by the DOT saying they are even considering any switch. Looking at "options" is a far cry from "considering a swtich. In fact, DOT states that they will stick with XP Pro for the time being. Shame on you, MacCNN
fsauer1
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Joined: Jul 2002
To which you say,
03/05, 03:31pm reply
Go get 'em Tiger.
Eccent
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
I'll bet
03/05, 03:34pm reply
one personal visit by Steve Jobs to the head of the DOT would erase all the years of MS lobbying almost overnight.
Apple should really consider "deploying" personal visits by Steve as a carrot when the account potential is big enough.
chas_m
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Joined: Aug 2001
entirely bogus article
03/05, 05:30pm reply
fsauer1 is right on the money here; as usual this macnn article is just lame.
maybe try another line of work instead like boxing; blah, blah, blah...
hokizpokis
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Joined: Jan 2007
What if Gold PSP Come?
03/06, 07:44am reply
A New Treat To Apple TV: PlayStation 3 movie downloads
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Cadilicsp
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Joined: Mar 2007