To: bali@nic.in , <will be replaced by email id of SC>
Subject: [NIC/TPS/2009/18] Why apple laptops with Windows XP for SC?
Date:
Dear Sir,
Recently we have come to know about your tender ( [NIC/TPS/2009/18] ), “Invitation of quotes for supply and installation of Apple Laptops for Supreme Court of India.”
We are wondering why only “Apple” laptops are considered for the tender, why not other vendors? Why chances were not given to other vendors? Fair tendering practices should allow competition and only give system specifications. We believe its missing in your tender.
After reading the tender document it is noted that, specification for laptop computer system in “Annexure 1” mentions an proprietary operating system (windows XP) is needed to be shipped with the laptop.
Shipping such proprietary operating systems with laptops incurs additional licensing (hidden) costs. You should be aware that our Government is looking for ways to cut costs because of the drought situation in our country. In this situation why NIC is spending additional costs on buying software?, when quality software is available for free of cost.
These GNU/Linux operating system is freely shareable without needing to make any payment of license fee to any vendors. They are being used by millions of people all over the world. Why GNU/Linux was not considered in that tender?
In fact Allahabad High Court has successfully converted all its computer infrastructure to FOSS. Open Standards are being used to store all documents of the court. please refer http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/faq.htm
I would also like to mention organizations like ELCOT saved lot of tax payers money by switching their infrastructure to GNU/Linux operating systems.
Thanks