South Korea plans to switch government computers to Linux
Summary
South Korea's government announces tests of Linux desktops to reduce support costs and dependence after Windows 7 reaches end of support. Windows 7 reached its end of support in January 2020. The Ministry of the Interior planned Linux tests on selected computers.
Ideas
- The end of support for an operating system forces a new risk assessment.
- Licence costs are only one part of large desktop migrations.
- Specialised applications and peripheral devices determine actual feasibility.
- Pilot projects are meant to measure compatibility and operating costs before the rollout.
Insights
- Digital sovereignty arises from replaceable dependencies, not from a one-off change of platform.
- Migration costs often lie in processes and applications rather than in operating system licences.
- An announced test is not yet a completed change of technology.
Recommendations
- Take inventory of specialised applications and hardware before choosing a distribution.
- Define measurable stop and success criteria for pilot migrations.
References
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