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Acting Director of Information Technology Services Stephen Mak says the Government is committed to supporting the development and use of open-source software.
Nearly 1,000 open-source software solutions have been installed on computers and servers in about half of all Government departments.
In selecting products, the Government emphasises value for money and interoperability, with no preference for brand names or particular technologies.
Officiating at the Linux Business Adoption Award Presentation Ceremony and the opening of the Linux World Conference & Expo HK 2003 in the Convention & Exhibition Centre today, Mr Mak said the Government welcomed the broadening of product choice brought by the development of open-source software.
Linux business campaign adopted
To promote the use of open-source software in Hong Kong, the Information Technology Services Department, Productivity Council and HK Linux Industry Association have jointly organised the Linux Business Adoption Campaign.
The Linux Business Adoption Award is one of the key activities of the campaign. Fourteen organisations were recognised for successfully deploying Linux in their applications.
The awards covered a wide range of sectors and application areas, comprising office automation and business application, infrastructure building and communication, education and Linux appliance.
The winners included small and medium enterprises as well as large enterprises, schools, tertiary institutions and a Government department. The Drainage Services Department received the Merit Award in the Infrastructure Building and Communication Application category.
Promoting open-source software
The Government adopts various policies and measures to promote open-source software as a viable option for deployment, and Government departments installs this software progressively.
It recently issued a public consultation paper on the 2004 Digital 21 Strategy. Among other things, it reinforces the Government's commitment to facilitate the development of innovative applications, deepen the e-government programme and foster the development of open source software through funding and other support measures.
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