Lower Saxony KDE Migration

An anonymous reader writes "ZDNet reports on a recent German Linux migration by the tax authority in Lower Saxony which has made the decision to migrate an impressive 12,000 desktops to SuSE Linux using KDE. The project, which is now in process converting 300 desktops daily, moves systems from Solaris x86 version 8, which the organisation has been running since 2002. The migrations are reported as going well thus far. KDE's Kiosk desktop customisation, source code access and licensing costs were cited as key reasons for the decision. Congratulations to all involved, and best of luck going forward with this effort!"

Re:Hmmm

[mccalli]

It's pretty easy to migrate from Solaris.

This one is more interesting than most however. Normally you here about that on the server side. It's interesting that the organisation is choosing to retain Unix-based desktops rather than go Win32. Interesting also that they've not moved to Solaris 10.

Cheers, Ian

Re:Linux on the desktop

[delire]

Do you really think, that with the formidable task of a 12000 PC migration, they considered the world of operating systems to be comprised of only Linux and Solaris? Futhermore while Windows is an obvious option, have you ever heard of OSX being used, on any comparable scale, by any international government?

Re:Linux on the desktop

[delire]

errm:

s/international government/government internationally/

circa 90's linux is ignored

[RedHatChilliPeppers]

back in the 90's, Linux is ignored and I became a laughing stock in University. Now who's laughing now? What we've been deprieved before is freedom, now that freedom is back.

Re:Linux on the desktop

[cool_arrow]

There is, however, evidence that these folks are migrating from one solid OS to another solid OS. Perhaps they're planning on getting some work done.

Re:Linux on the desktop

[killjoe]

In most corporations users don't need to (actually are prevented from) installing software and games. They mostly run some office software, email, browser and some internally written app (usually in java). Linux is perfectly fine for that.

Next best thing to do...

[schmu_20mol]

... would be if they started porting their, already free of charge, income tax return software to linux (elster [elster.de]).