I wrote last week about the military using iPhones instead of expensive custom mobile computers. I just read another article that talks about the military teaming with the open source community to build software.
I was often shocked how much the military would spend on software that was buggy, expensive, and not very user friendly. During my first deployment to Iraq I setup what was effectively the database for the department of motor vehicles for Haditha, Iraq. This database ran all on open-source software (mySql, apache and php) and was accessible via a web interface. While I could have tried to follow the traditional routes of procuring software, we didn't have the time for that. Using the free open-source software I was able to create a powerful and useful database to track all vehicles used within the Haditha region. While this was very useful to my unit, I know that at the time, it didn't follow the proper protocols for software use within the military. I'm glad to see that the Department of Defense, is starting to realize they could save a lot of money and get more useful software by harnessing the power of open-source products.
