Artophile is an architects' firm in Artopolis. Artophile is going to initiate a new project codenamed ArtoLibre@Artophile.
ArtoLibre@Artophile is aligned with a larger initiative in Artopolis called ArtoLibre. The ArtoLibre initiative is designed to replace most proprietary software in the public sector with libre alternatives.
What is libre software?
Libre software, sometimes called free software (free as in free speech, not as in free beer), open source, or FLOSS (Free/Libre, Open Source Software) is software that respects the freedom of the user by providing its source code and allowing investigations, modifications, and distributions. The source code must be available because when it is, experts can investigate the software and make sure that it doesn’t do anything undesirable.
Being libre increases the potential for higher security and privacy on the one hand, and on the other hand, increases pluralism by avoiding lock-ins. Furthermore, libre software is usually more efficient, so that it’s not necessary to frequently replace old hardware, which makes it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Libre software is usually less expensive, but lowering costs is not a goal in the ArtoLibre initiative, and any savings made as a result of this initiative will be donated to libre projects to support their further developments.
What is ArtoLibre?
The government has planned a five-wave approach for ArtoLibre:
- Wave 1: Replacing the email clients, instant messaging applications, and cloud storage systems
- Wave 2: Replacing the office suite applications
- Wave 3: Replacing the remaining general applications
- Wave 4: Replacing the remaining specialist applications
- Wave 5: Replacing the operating system
Each wave takes 3 to 6 months to implement and is followed by training. Users must have at least 6 months between the release of any two waves, in order to get used to the change.
The libre applications that replace proprietary ones are expected to be better than them or at least on the same level (whatever “better” means for the end users) – so they’re an upgrade rather than a downgrade. When options are limited, minor downgrades are acceptable, but in cases where liberation requires a major downgrade, the proprietary application can be kept. Needless to say, the proprietary applications must be cross-platform or platform-agnostic so that users can run them in a libre operating system.
What is ArtoLibre@Artophile?
The ArtoLibre initiative is limited to the public sector. Artophile, which is a private company, doesn’t have to comply with it. However, Artophile values freedom, doesn’t limit itself to specialist services, and considers itself socially responsible. As a result, Artophile has decided to take a similar initiative.
Besides taking on the general advantages of the ArtoLibre initiative, it also makes the company’s computer systems more compatible with those in the public sector, which is an advantage because there’s a lot of interaction between them.
YOU!
You are a project manager in Artophile who has been selected to manage the ArtoLibre@Artophile project. You only have experience in managing architecture/construction projects. However, you know that project management is different from the technical aspects of the project and you should be able to do a good job.
The IT department of the company can play a part in this project, but they don’t have all the expertise and external IT consultants who are also required.
Good luck!