Windows Vista Banned by Texas Legislation

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 06 Apr 2009

Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system (which oddly enough is not mentioned at all in the Redmond company’s recent Laptop Hunters ad campaign) has seen its fair share of negative press, and has even been the cause of at least one lawsuit. The most recent blow to the Microsoft developed OS comes from the US state of Texas that has acknowledged the software is buggy and consequently authorities should not purchase it – clause included into the budget by Senator Juan Hinojosa

Sen. Juan Hinojosa, vice chairman of the Finance Committee, the one who proposed the Windows Vista ban says that his actions were spurred by the “many reports of problems with Vista”. “We are not in any way, shape or form trying to pick on Microsoft, but the problems with this particular [operating] system are known nationwide. And the XP operating system is working very well,” adds the Democrat.

To put it in brief, Government agencies from Texas are to stick with Windows XP and not install or upgrade to Vista. They could do this (upgrade or install Vista), but in order to do so they are to obtain a special written approval from the Legislative Budget Board. Perhaps they should follow the example set by the Gendarmerie Nationale who upon giving up on the Windows-based operating system and switching to Ubuntu, not only reported an increase in user satisfaction, but saved millions of Euros – details here.

Microsoft responded through spokesperson Tonya Klause: “Microsoft has long demonstrated a sustained commitment to Texas, which is why this development is disappointing. Given our daily work with government agencies and long-standing technology partnership, we are surprised that the Texas Senate Finance Committee adopted a rider which, in effect, singles out a specific corporation and product for unequal treatment. We hope that, as the budget continues to go through the process, this language will be removed.”


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