DoT bans Upgrades to Windows Vista, Explorer 7, and Office 2007

Fearful of an information meltdown due to compatibility problems and being sensitive to security issues, the Department of Transport has banned its staff and all subservient agencies (including the FAA) from upgrading their computer systems to the latest Microsoft offerings. The embargo applies to 15,000 computer users at DoT proper who are currently running the Windows XP Professional operating system. The FAA has around 45,000 desktop users nationwide. Supposedly a number of legacy software programs in use at DoT and its agencies aren't compatible with Windows Vista and the flow-on need for upgrading just hasn't been budgeted for. Microsoft's bottom line will suffer as it sells many millions of dollars worth of its bloatware to the feds annually. Also factored into the moratorium is the DoT's move to a new Headquarters in Washington later in 2007 and an aversion to any unnecessary learning curves for staff. Transitional periods are well known for their disruptions (and for providing ready excuses for tardy work).

DoT's Chief Information Technology Officer Tim Schmidt is also looking at Novell's increasingly popular and user-friendly Suse Linux - as well as a gradual transition for some users towards Macintosh systems - known for its operating system's reliability, security and graphics utility. The moratorium has an indefinite life and is known to be in line with many other large commercial entities who have been wary of Microsoft's bug-ridden new releases in the past. The DoT's CIO (Chief Information Officer) Daniel Mintz backs up Schmidt by saying: "there appears to be no compelling technical or business case for upgrading to these new Microsoft software products. Furthermore, there appears to be specific reasons not to upgrade."