December 2006
Munich Evicts Microsoft
Whether or not “the clocks tick differently in Bavaria,” the computers are running differently these days. After a three-year trial and development period, Munich has begun converting its 14,000 computers to the Linux operating system. Almost 90 percent of the world’s computers use Microsoft systems. Munich first considered breaking away from the pack in 2003, when Microsoft announced the termination of support and security updates for Windows NT, in the hopes of bringing more customers to its new XP platform. Instead of acquiring new Windows licenses, Munich decided to thumb its collective nose at the monopolists and give Linux a try, even after Steve Ballmer made a personal visit to try to dissuade the mayor from making this dam-breaking decision. Linus Torvalds wrote the first version of the Linux system in the early 1990s. Since then, over ten thousand programmers worldwide have written new code to help the free program expand online. Linux is noted for its security—the risk posed by viruses and hackers is negligible—but is also attractive because of its adaptability. Munich is one of the first cities to make the switch, but Vienna and Paris have begun conversion as well. In recognition of Linux’s growing power, Microsoft recently announced a partnership with Linux vendor Novell, and promises to make changes that will allow both systems to run on one computer.
You’ll be seeing a lot more of the Linux penguin in years to come.
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