Space Forum / Shuttle / March 2007

>The Associated Press March 22, 2007, 2:26PM EST
>Federal agency bans Microsoft Vista
>
>A federal agency is refusing to upgrade its computers with Microsoft
>Corp.'s Windows Vista operating system, citing concern over costs and
>compatibility issues.
>
>In a Jan. 19 memo to staff, Dan Mintz, the Transportation Department's
>chief information officer, imposed an "indefinite moratorium" on upgrading
>desktop and laptop computers with the new operating system, Office 2007
>and Internet Explorer 7.
>
>Mintz wrote that there is "no compelling technical or business case" to
>upgrade to the new products and specific reasons not to upgrade.
>
>He cited hardware, software and labor costs, compatibility issues with
>current applications and limited funding. He also wrote technology staff
>will be busy with the agency's move to a new headquarters. Because the
>agency has a multiyear contract with Microsoft, the upgraded software is free.
>
>The memo says the software only may be acquired for testing purposes and
>only with the CIO's approval.
>
>"They're doing their due diligence," said Keith Hodson, Microsoft spokesman.
>
>Hodson said Microsoft will be meeting with Transportation Department
>officials soon to explain the business and technical value of Vista. He
>said that meeting was set up before the news about the ban.
>
>Hodson said he doesn't know of any other agency that has banned upgrading
>to Vista.
>
>The details of Mintz's memo were first reported earlier this month by
>InformationWeek, a technology trade publication.