On Mon, 3 Jun 2002 dennisk@sahuaro.f2s.com wrote:

> IBM signs Linux deal with Germany
> 
> You've all seen the SlashDot story probably. I big win, of course. Germany's 
> Interior Minister, Otto Schilly, picked Linux to help cut costs and improve 
> security in the nation's computer networks. 
> 

What is interesting is GNUe has large developer base in Europe, 
specifically Austria and Germany.  So I get to communicate with folks 
there a lot.  In discussing this with them, what they all find funny is 
this is old news.

German Parliment dictated some time ago that they would be move their 
servers to GNU/Linux.  They even produced a roadmap that all servers would 
be converted by XXXX date.  This announcement is merely that they have 
chosen a vendor.

BTW: Those that like this move, please note that the FSF Europe played a 
major role in making it happen as part of their "Bundestux" initiative.  
("Federal Tux")

I find it interesting that American news agencies really aren't reporting 
much on this, I believe the Slashdot story is from BBC.

-Derek