Another German City Wants to Replace Microsoft with Open Source Software

The migration from Microsoft software to open-source alternatives comes with a series of benefits, including reduced licensing costs and better local control over the code powering the whole thing, and this is one of the reasons some authorities across the world are looking into such a transition.

Munich, for example, has become a pioneer in this regard after switching from Microsoft software to Linux and open source alternatives, and now it looks like another German city is pondering a similar decision.

Hamburg is reportedly looking into embracing open-source software on local computers in an attempt to reduce reliance on paid products and to become what’s being described as “a model in digital sovereignty.”

A report from German publication Der Standard indicates that the plan is still in its early days and details are scarce, to say the least, albeit the open-source transition appears to be just a matter of time at this point.

Full or partial transition?

What’s not clear, however, is whether Hamburg is planning a full switch to open source or just a partial transition that would have the city replace software like the Microsoft Office productivity suite with alternatives likeLibreOffice.

If what Hamburg is planning is a complete switch to open source, then Linux could take the place of Windows as part of a gradual move, albeit for the time being, there are no details as to whether the city wants to use an existing distro or develop its own.

Munich, for example, created its very own LiMux project to power the transition to open-source software, while also replacing Microsoft Office withOpenOffice (and laterLibreOffice).

Time will tell if Hamburg indeed gives the go-ahead to this ambitious plan, but for now, this comes as great news for the Linux and open-source ecosystem, which itself is growing at a fast pace these days.