The Norwegian government apparently has canceled an exclusive contract with Microsoft to provide software for the computers in its public offices.
The story, reported by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, quotes Victor D. Norman, the country's minister of Labor and Government Administration, as saying the move will provide better access to cheaper and higher quality software, according to a "rough translation" of the news article on the DesktopLinux.com Web site.
"We think that the Microsoft agreement in reality has given Microsoft a monopoly in the area where we are better served by introducing competition," Norman is quoted as saying. The move is being trumpeted by enthusiasts of rival operating systems such as Linux and Apple Computer's Macintosh. Sites such as DesktopLinux, Slashdot.org and Mac Observer praised the new policy.
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