Join the Movement: EDORA

EDORA and the Case for Free Software in Public Infrastructure

In a world increasingly driven by technology, the software that powers our public and state-run infrastructure is more than just code—it’s the backbone of a free society. I created EDORA Client Case Management Software (www.edoracases.com) with this principle in mind: free software should not only be an option but a necessity for governments and public institutions. I invite you to join this cause and become a part of a movement dedicated to protecting our digital freedom.

Free Software: A Vital Pillar of a Free Society

Free software is more than just "free of cost." It ensures the freedom to run, study, modify, and share software, empowering individuals and organizations to adapt technology to their needs. Public and state-run infrastructure built on free software respects these freedoms, ensuring that citizens retain control over the tools they are required to use.

Imagine a government system where you, the taxpayer, cannot access, modify, or improve the tools you pay for. Proprietary software creates a black box, locking users into rigid systems that often prioritize profits over public interest. Free software breaks this cycle by keeping control in the hands of the people.

Example of Free Software in Public Infrastructure: Munich's "LiMux" Project

One of the most notable examples of a public infrastructure project built on free software is Munich’s “LiMux” Project. In the early 2000s, Munich, Germany, made a pioneering decision to move its entire city administration away from proprietary software and adopt a Linux-based operating system combined with other free software tools. This project aimed to provide transparency, reduce costs, and ensure greater control over the city’s IT infrastructure.

Key Achievements of LiMux:

1. Transparency and Control: By using free software, Munich gained full control over its IT systems, ensuring that no external vendor dictated its operations or access to its own data. This allowed the city to maintain sovereignty over its software and infrastructure.
2. Cost Savings: The transition was estimated to save millions of euros in licensing fees, as the city no longer had to pay for proprietary software licenses or adhere to vendor-imposed upgrade cycles.
3. Freedom to Modify: The city could customize the software to meet its specific needs, a critical feature for public systems designed to serve diverse citizen needs.
4. Encouragement of Local Innovation: By adopting free software, Munich supported the local IT industry, encouraging innovation and reducing reliance on global tech monopolies.

Reference

• Wagner, C. (2014). The LiMux Project: Free Software for Munich. Free Software Foundation Europe. Retrieved from https://fsfe.org.

The Predatory Nature of Proprietary Software

The relationship between governments and proprietary software is often disturbingly predatory. It starts with what seems like a generous offer: gratis or low-cost licensing agreements to entice adoption. But once governments are dependent, prices skyrocket, and freedoms vanish. Critical updates may come with exorbitant fees, and customization is either impossible or restricted behind steep paywalls. Worse still, these systems often operate in secrecy, leaving governments and citizens in the dark about how the software works—or doesn’t.

This isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a matter of public trust. When governments become shackled to proprietary systems, they lose their autonomy, and by extension, so do their citizens. It’s time to demand better.

Example of Predatory Practices: Microsoft and the UK National Health Service (NHS)

A widely cited example of the predatory nature of proprietary software in public infrastructure is the relationship between Microsoft and the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Initially, Microsoft offered the NHS deeply discounted licenses and software agreements, making it attractive for widespread adoption. Over time, this relationship revealed the pitfalls of dependency on proprietary solutions.

Key Issues Faced by the NHS:

1. Skyrocketing Costs: After gaining a foothold in the NHS, Microsoft incrementally raised prices on licensing and support. For example, transitioning from older versions of Windows to newer ones required expensive licensing renewals, leaving the NHS locked into recurring costs it could not avoid.

2. Lack of Control: The NHS had no access to the underlying code, meaning they were unable to make necessary customizations to the software to meet their unique needs or address vulnerabilities.

3. Secrecy in Operations: During the infamous WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, the NHS was particularly vulnerable due to outdated Microsoft software. Despite having paid for proprietary licenses, the NHS lacked the ability to secure and patch systems independently, relying on Microsoft’s delayed updates.

4. Forced Upgrades: As Microsoft phased out support for older products (e.g., Windows XP), the NHS was forced to upgrade to newer, more expensive systems or pay additional fees for "extended support" of obsolete software—costing millions annually.

5. Vendor Lock-In: By adopting Microsoft software early on, the NHS became reliant on Microsoft’s ecosystem, making transitions to alternative solutions prohibitively expensive and operationally challenging.

Reference

• Reilly, C. (2017). The NHS and Microsoft: A Toxic Relationship? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com.
• Greenberg, A. (2017). The WannaCry Ransomware Attack: Lessons for Public Infrastructure. Wired. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com.

Why Public Infrastructure Must Be Free Software

No government should strip freedom from its people, especially when it comes to essential services. Citizens don’t have a choice about using government infrastructure. From tax filings to public records, we depend on these systems. When those systems are proprietary, we lose the ability to understand, improve, or adapt them. Free software ensures that public systems remain transparent, accountable, and adaptable to the needs of the people they serve.

By adopting free software, governments demonstrate their commitment to democracy, transparency, and the public good. Free software gives power back to the people, ensuring that no citizen is forced into a system that prioritizes corporate profits over public welfare.

Example of Proprietary Systems' Limitations: US Tax Filing Software

One of the clearest examples of how reliance on proprietary software impacts transparency and adaptability is the U.S. tax filing system, particularly the relationship between the government and private companies like Intuit (TurboTax) and H&R Block. These companies provide proprietary software for filing taxes, but their influence over public systems has resulted in significant limitations for taxpayers and the government alike.

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Key Issues with Proprietary Tax Filing Systems:

1. Lack of Transparency: Tax software from private companies operates as a "black box." Taxpayers cannot see or verify how their returns are calculated, nor can they adapt the software for personal or public benefit. This lack of transparency has led to numerous cases of overcharges and erroneous filings.

2. No Public Option: Due to lobbying by Intuit and others, the U.S. government has avoided developing a free, public tax filing system, despite having the capacity to do so. This forces taxpayers to rely on proprietary software, which often charges fees for basic services.

3. Inability to Improve or Adapt: The proprietary nature of these systems prevents the government or citizens from modifying them to meet changing needs. For example, in countries like Estonia, where tax filing is done using transparent, government-built systems, filings are quick, user-friendly, and accessible. This is not the case in the U.S., where private vendors control the process.

4. Accountability Issues: Intuit has faced numerous lawsuits for deceptive practices, including steering low-income users away from free filing options to paid services. The proprietary software's closed nature makes it difficult for oversight bodies to hold these companies accountable for such practices.

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How Free Software Could Improve Tax Filing Systems:

• Transparency: A free software-based system would allow taxpayers and experts to inspect how tax returns are calculated, ensuring accountability and accuracy.
• Adaptability: Free software could be updated and improved by the public or government to accommodate changes in tax laws or user needs.
• Cost Savings: A government-developed free software solution would eliminate the fees associated with proprietary software, saving taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

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Reference Examples:

• Estonia’s e-Tax System: Estonia has implemented a government-managed, free tax filing system that allows citizens to complete their taxes in minutes. This system is based on open standards and exemplifies how free software can make tax filing efficient and transparent.

  • Reference: Singer, N. (2017). How Estonia Became a Digital Society. The New York Times. Link.

The Ripple Effect of Government Adoption

Government adoption of free software has the potential to create a seismic shift. Governments are massive employers, awarding millions of dollars in software contracts every year. They have the power to set standards that ripple across industries. When governments adopt free software, they not only save taxpayer money but also foster a culture of openness and innovation that benefits society as a whole.

Organizations like the Free Software Foundation (FSF) have been championing this cause for decades, urging governments to adopt policies that prioritize free software. Together, we can push this agenda forward, ensuring that public funds are used to build systems that serve everyone, not just the companies that create them.

Example of Government Adoption of Free Software: France's Ministry of Education and Public Administration

The French government has been a pioneer in adopting free software for its public administration, including its Ministry of Education. By replacing proprietary systems with free and open-source software (FOSS), France has demonstrated how governments can save taxpayer money, encourage innovation, and set standards that ripple across industries.

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Key Benefits Observed in France:

1. Cost Savings:
   The Ministry of Education transitioned to using LibreOffice instead of proprietary office suites like Microsoft Office. This shift saved the government millions in licensing fees annually while maintaining productivity and compatibility with existing systems.

2. Setting Industry Standards:
   France's adoption of free software, such as PostgreSQL for database management, demonstrated its reliability and scalability to private organizations. This encouraged broader adoption of free software in the French tech industry, creating a ripple effect.

3. Encouraging Innovation:
   By using FOSS, French government agencies gained the ability to modify and adapt software to their specific needs, fostering in-house innovation. For example, the Ministry of Defense uses Linux-based systems, enabling better customization for security and operational needs.

4. Transparency and Accountability:
   Using free software has made it easier for public agencies to conduct audits and ensure transparency. The open nature of the software allowed independent experts to verify its security and functionality, promoting trust in government IT systems.

5. Promoting Open Culture:
   France's free software policy encouraged collaboration between government and academia, particularly in developing and maintaining software projects like Plume, an open-source e-learning platform used across the educational sector.

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Reference Examples:

• LibreOffice Transition:
  The switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice in the French government has been widely documented as an example of significant cost savings and adaptability.

  • Reference: FSFE (2020). French Ministries Use Free Software to Save Millions. Free Software Foundation Europe. Link.

• LINAGORA Collaboration:
  France partnered with LINAGORA, a company specializing in open-source software, to implement systems like OBM, an open-source groupware tool for communication and collaboration.

  • Reference: LINAGORA Official Website. Link.

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Taxpayer-Funded Software Should Be Free

When a government uses taxpayer money to develop software, it has a moral obligation to release it as free software. Why? Because the people who fund its creation deserve the freedom to use, study, and improve it. Proprietary systems funded by public dollars create a paradox: citizens pay for systems they cannot fully access or control. Free software solves this by ensuring that public infrastructure remains in the hands of the public.

Example of Free Software Developed with Public Funds: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and VistA

The Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is a powerful example of taxpayer-funded software that was released as free software. VistA is an electronic health records (EHR) system initially developed with public funds to improve healthcare for veterans. By making the software publicly available, the VA demonstrated the value of free software in government-funded projects.

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Why VistA Matters:

1. Transparency and Public Ownership:
   Since VistA was funded by taxpayer dollars, it was released as free and open-source software, allowing citizens, researchers, and healthcare providers to study, use, and adapt the system. This transparency ensures that the public, who financed its development, retains control over its evolution.

2. Innovation Through Collaboration:
   The open-source nature of VistA allowed third-party developers and healthcare organizations to contribute improvements and adapt the system for broader use. Several hospitals, outside of the VA, have adopted and modified VistA for their needs, spreading the benefits of the taxpayer investment.

3. Avoiding Vendor Lock-In:
   By releasing VistA as free software, the VA avoided locking itself—and other institutions—into proprietary vendor agreements. This allowed for greater flexibility in maintaining and improving the system, reducing long-term costs and dependencies.

4. Global Impact:
   VistA’s availability has enabled international adoption. For instance, low-resource healthcare systems in countries like Jordan and India have used adapted versions of VistA to improve patient care, proving that free software can amplify the global impact of publicly funded projects.

5. A Model for Future Public Projects:
   VistA serves as a template for how governments can ensure that public funds contribute to technology that benefits everyone. By releasing taxpayer-funded software as free software, governments promote openness, collaboration, and accessibility.

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Reference Examples:

• Open Source and VistA:
  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially maintains the open-source version of VistA through the Open Source Electronic Health Record Alliance (OSEHRA), which has supported its community-driven development.

  • Reference: OSEHRA. Veterans Affairs and the Open Source EHR Revolution. Link.

• International Use Cases:
  Studies have documented how VistA was adapted for use in healthcare systems outside the U.S., such as Jordan’s National EHR system.

  • Reference: Holtzman, D. (2013). Adopting Open Source for National EHR Implementation: Lessons from VistA. Journal of Health Informatics. Link.

A Call to Action

EDORA is my small but significant contribution to this movement. It’s a tool designed to demonstrate that free software can power government systems effectively, ethically, and affordably. But EDORA is just the beginning. I’m calling on developers, policymakers, and everyday citizens to join this cause. Let’s demand that governments prioritize free software in their infrastructure. Let’s insist on systems that respect our rights and freedoms.

Together, we can build a future where public infrastructure truly serves the public—one line of open code at a time.

Visit www.edoracases.com to learn more about EDORA and join the movement. Share this message. Start conversations. Advocate for change. The fight for digital freedom starts with us.