> Time and time again these massive government-run software project collapse on their face. Which is why I said "I wouldn't bet on the management of that proje

> Time and time again these massive government-run software project collapse on their face. Which is why I said "I wouldn't bet on the management of that project playing out like that." I also completely agree Microsoft is way too entrenched to start something today. > In the commercial space, government just cannot compete with private industry ... at all. I kind of think you're overstating what I was suggesting (likely, I stated it poorly). Instead of paying Microsoft $x annually for MS Office, I think for less money they could write and maintain something that fits their own needs. Since it was developed with tax dollars, release it publicly. I doubt businesses would adopt it unless some independent companies popped up to facilitate it (like Red Hat does for OSS). The goal wasn't to replace Microsoft Office in society, just to fulfill its own needs.