Although it’s not yet a done deal, David Bowen (CIO of the FAA) said recently that he’s taking a very close look at Google’s application offering (to be run on Linux), in place of Microsoft’s Office Suite and Windows Vista. The idea is to have Dell (the FAA’s primary hardware vendor) supply them with PC’s running Linux and a non-Microsoft browser to access Google Applications. This was hinted at last week, along with the DOT’s head of technology announcing that his organization will not be migrating to Windows Vista anytime soon, due to security and compatibility issues.

Microsoft is really taking heat here in a time where it is expected to be in its glory and selling millions and millions of new software licenses. If, after further consideration, Bowen decides to go the Google route, this would mean a combined count of 60,000 users in the public sector who will no longer be using Microsoft applications on the desktop level.

Perhaps it’s time for Microsoft to rethink its strategy for the distribution of Vista and Office 2007, instead of waiting another two years for the next revision…

Well, here we go… Chalk up another stumbling block for Microsoft to hurdle in its plans of world domination. They were hoping organizations would begin to upgrade to Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Internet Explorer 7 by now, however apparently the Federal Government doesn’t agree. I’m sure Microsoft didn’t appreciate hearing Daniel Mintz (CIO for the US Department of Transportation) announce in a January 19^th memo to his staff, “”an indefinite moratorium” on the upgrades as “there appears to be no compelling technical or business case for upgrading to these new Microsoft software products. Furthermore, there appears to be specific reasons not to upgrade.”” OUCH!

The memo, uncovered today by InformationWeek, indefinitely affects 15,000 users in the DOT and, according to Paul McDougall of InformationWeek, “a similar ban is in effect at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has 45,000 desktop users.” That’s 60,000 users and counting… So, although it’s not always a good idea to follow the Federal Government’s lead in technology adoption practices, I believe Mr. Mintz has reason to object to any upgrades; at least for now.

The main reasons cited for banning such an upgrade related to compatibility issues and security concerns, both of which we have already suspected. However, even after the NSA helped to co-develop the Vista security platform, Mintz objects and expresses concerns and doesn’t even see a “compelling technical or business case” to upgrading, this spells trouble for Microsoft. Will other Federal agencies follow suit? Stay tuned as I’m sure this will be clogging the airwaves shortly…

In Bexley Ohio, school district officials announced last week that they will migrate all computers to Linux from Microsoft Windows by 2010, apparently saving them $412,000. (This number should be argued, as I doubt they considered the true cost, but more on that later.) While this decision was based on a number of issues (cost being the primary motivator), it brings up the question that Steve Ballmer has been fearing: With the introduction of Windows Vista to the market, will this mark the time for organizations to consider migrating to Linux for their desktop operating systems? Will companies, schools, hospitals, etc. decide to take a closer look at Linux, while considering the time-consuming and costly process of upgrading to Windows Vista?

I’m not going to tell you it’s a good idea for everyone; however this does something very important by forcing us to evaluate the true cost of an upgrade. Not only do Vista (and Office 2007) require more memory and processing power but any other software programs you use will have to be compatible as well (see my post on Vista-Approved applications). That means, hardware, software, management costs (all direct and indirect).

While the Bexley school district was still stuck in the dark ages, using the worst operating system ever created (Windows ME), I have seen worse environments where more complex issues come to light. It is probably true, in this case, that Linux saved the district a sizable amount of money, but let’s hope they planned on supporting this new system with the knowledgeable people they will need. There are some excellent companies out there who specialize in particular vertical markets and support (and will proactively migrate and manage a Linux environment for you), but make sure you complete your due diligence.

One last note: One company I have worked with, who has a stellar Linux offering for the right environment, is Resara. Check them out and let me know if you’d like more information on their “Linux Thin Client.”

Microsoft announced today its list of 800 “Vista Approved” third-party applications. Some items not listed on this list may still work, however good luck getting any support from Microsoft on their compatibility. You can view the full list and announcement here.

However, please note some of the more important omissions from this list. According to computerworld.com, “Popular Windows software that is conspicuously missing from Microsoft’s list includes Adobe Systems Inc.’s entire line of graphics and multimedia software, Symantec Corp.’s security products, as well as the Mozilla Foundation’s open-source Firefox Web browser, Skype Ltd.’s free voice-over-IP software and the OpenOffice.org alternative to Microsoft Office.”

Some of the more common applications listed to work as “bug-free” with Windows Vista “include CorelDraw and WordPerfect from Corel Corp., PowerDVD from Cyberlink, Nero 7 Premium, Trend Micro AntiVirus and PC-Cillin, AutoCad 2008, QuickBooks 2007 from Intuit Inc., Microsoft Office 2007 and many other Microsoft applications.”

The computerworld.com article is a great resource for specifics, but again my advice is to wait, wait and wait to migrate to Vista. Again, the question remains: What reasons are there to upgrade and do these reasons tell a compelling enough story to make you restock your collection of Tums?!?

Last May I discussed the importance of proper, thorough planning when considering your corporate software standards and the associated upgrades. Now that Windows Vista is fully available to corporations (with the consumer release only a week away), please keep in mind the importance of planning this out and review the total cost of upgrades and what actual ROI you will see… Please, keep in mind the reasons why you WOULD upgrade… At this point I don’t see a single valid point to upgrading, at least until Microsoft has released service pack 1 a bit later this year.

I have included below two fairly comprehensive lists: 10 reasons to upgrade to Vista and 10 reasons not to. These two lists are available with associated annotations and explanations at apcmag.com and were written by Dan Warne and Ashton Mills, respectively. Please note that some given reasons are not entirely true, in particular Mills’ statement in #10 about ownership rights and license transfers. I’ve discussed this in greater detail here. However, overall I think the cons outweigh the pros by a healthy margin; for now. There will be a time where your organization should implement Vista, but there is always time for testing and planning this upgrade, so let’s not to add to Microsoft’s margins just yet.

“10 reasons you should get Vista”

1. UI built for the era of video and digital photography
2. Image-based install
3. Up-to-date driver base and better driver handling on installation
4. Desktop search and search folders built in
5. Sleep mode that actually works
6. Rock-solid laptop encryption
7. Better file navigation
8. Inbuilt undelete
9. DirectX10
10. Face it, you have no choice

“10 reasons not to get Vista”

1. You don’t actually need it
2. Cost $$
3. On that note, it’s outrageously overpriced
4. Upgrading hardware
5. Driver support
6. Applications that don’t
7. It’s a big fat target
8. UAC
9. DRM
10. The draconian license

After last week’s discovery of the latest Vista security bug, Microsoft tried to repair its image a bit by announcing how exactly some of its security recommendations were written: with a little help from our friends over at the NSA (and the American taxpayer). Joris Evers, of CNET News.com, wrote today about the secretive, federal spy agency’s involvement in recommendations associated with Vista’s rollout in large enterprises. However, after the NSA (often referred to as “No Such Agency”) actually admitted to the Washington Post today that it was involved in a fairly non-specific manner, this presents another concern. Tony W. Sager, the NSA’s chief of vulnerability and operations group described the activities as two teams (good and bad) waging a hacking war against each other and then sharing the results and recommendations with Microsoft’s developers.

I know the NSA has a stake in ensuring the security of Vista (as they did with XP and 2003 Server to some extent as well), however who’s to say it isn’t putting in loopholes and backdoors for its own use? There are more concerns which will become more complex and more apparent as we go on, but which are critically demanding our attention as protectors of our companies’ information.

Also included in the CNET article are a number of very useful links relating to the secure deployment of Windows Vista. In addition, here is the official Windows Vista Security Guide, but please check out these articles for detailed information on this announcement. Oh… and take my suggestion and wait a bit to migrate your organization to Vista until at least the next service pack is released.

This security bug and any associated political/economic windfall from the taxpayers’ money being used to help develop a private company’s product bound to boil to the top at some point. So, keep your eyes and ears open and we’ll sort it out one of these days.