14 DAY TRIAL // The City of Munich has become a pioneer of the transition from Windows to Linux, but in the last few years, this decision sparked controversy locally, with some authorities pushing for the migration back to Microsoft products.
This is what could happen next week when the Munich city authority will discuss a recommendation made by the administrative and personnel committee and which encouraged the switch from the Ubuntu-based LiMux to Windows 10 for all systems.
As ZDNet reports, the final purpose is to create a uniform Windows-based architecture and to adopt it in all city departments by 2020, which would mean that all computers running LiMux right now would make the jump back to Microsoft’s operating system.
While local sources seem to indicate that the transition to Windows is all but confirmed, it’s essential to note that no decision has been made just yet, and local authorities are still pondering some other changes that would in the end have Windows live alongside LiMux on Munich’s systems.
A recommendation made last year by Microsoft partner Accenture urged city authorities to adopt Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, but critics question the result of this report simply because the company that was commissioned to conduct it was affiliated with Microsoft.
But there’s also another scenario on the table: Munich employees could be allowed to choose between LiMux and Windows and use their software of choice, including here either LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. Although this wouldn’t align with the recommendation of creating a uniform platform, that is.
Not giving up on Linux completely
Anne Hübner, a councilor on the personnel committee, downplayed reports claiming that Munich is giving up completely on LiMux, but admitted that some PCs might switch to Windows should employees want to.
“Much of the server structure will remain as it is today. LibreOffice can also continue to be used, but we'll allow our employees to use Microsoft products if they so wish” she was quoted as saying.
On the other hand, Dieter Reiter, member of the Social Democratic Party and Munich mayor since 2014, seems to favor a transition to Microsoft products, and he’s the one who commissioned the Accenture report last year. Critics claim Reiter is a big supporter of Microsoft and many of his decisions are aimed at bringing the Redmond-based tech giant closer to the city of Munich.
“The mayor was against free software from the beginning,” said Matthias Kirschner, the president of Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE). “When he was elected, he took pride in getting Microsoft to move their office to Munich [a move that took place last September]. He even gave this study to Accenture, which is a Microsoft partner.”
Microsoft hasn’t commented on this debate just yet, but with the Munich meeting due on Wednesday, Redmond could score another important win in the battle against Linux.