Looks like Microsoft is having a bad week when it comes to the United States Government. First the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a formal ban on Windows Vista, Internet Explorer 7, and Office 2007.

In a memo to his staff, the DOT’s CIO Daniel Mintz says he has placed “an indefinite moratorium” on the upgrades as “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.”

Then the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces it may ditch Windows Vista for Google Apps and Linux Desktops from Dell.

In an interview, FAA chief information officer David Bowen said he’s taking a close look at the Premier Edition of Google Apps as he mulls replacements for the agency’s Windows XP-based desktop computers and laptops. Bowen cited several reasons why he finds Google Apps attractive. “It’s a different sort of computing strategy,” he said. “It takes the desktop out of the way so you’re running a very thin client. From a security and management standpoint that would have some advantages.”

Microsoft should be concerned, in fact they should be very concerned.? There have been lots of stories over the last few years about governments of foreign countries switching (or considering switching) from Windows based PC’s to Linux desktop environments.? They have been state and federal agencies in the United States that have researched the possibility of moving off the Windows platform to open source software.? It always seemed like it just “wasn’t ready for prime time”.

But Google apps may just be the missing link.? At only $50 per user per year (for Enterprise use) the cost is sooooo much less than any other Office suite AND that includes support!!? Think about it…google apps could be used in a company with any desktop – linux, apple, or even older Windows based pc’s (as they are phased out)…basically anything with web access.? Since google apps is a web based toolset, you wouldn’t need so much local storage, or crazy virus protection, or even local email and calendering servers (since email and calendar comes with the google apps suite).

If there is no compelling business reason or functionality to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista – there’s no reason for a company to upgrade, especially if you factor in the cost of new hardware.? You need at least a gig of ram, a healthy processor, and (to run the graphics enhancements) additional video hardware to fully run Windows Vista.? But I still run a 1Ghz machine with 512MB of RAM at home with Ubuntu Linux 6.06 – and the system is pretty darn snappy (and now 5+ years old).

If you were an IT director of a government agency and you could:

• save money on email infrastructure
• save money on office suite licensing
• save money on help desk support
• save money on hardware upgrades
• save money on OS licensing costs

…how could you possibly justify upgrading to Windows Vista (in your company)??