for me there are these aspects relevant. Imho the only killer aspect is, if the elected politicians take their social responsibility serious or not. It’s that simple, but that’s difficult to explain.

Using free software based on open standards means

• being independent from special software/hardware vendors, consultants, timelines etc. So I have the choice, but I must choose.
• lowering the barriers for everyone and every company to take part in the market. Not a big company controls who gets certified to offer sth, but it’s up to every interest one. More market means higher quality for lower prices.
• invest taxpayers’ money twice, in companies/freelancers working for you AND in improving the software for everyone by sharing the results.

There are more information available, e.g.

• http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
• http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html
• http://www.osnews.com/story/6710&page=1

I need between 3 and 5 killer points to persuade a British county local government authority to adopt an Open SW solution.

I am a Computer Scientist, antitrust scholar (Microsoft cases) and expert in Intellectual Property Rights in SW.

Yes, I have my own thoughts, but, in view of Munich (which some are reporting as a failure (!!) ) I would like to hear your thoughts

best
Jo

Dr Jo Stanley, Research Fellow, Lucy Cavendish College, Univ of Cambridge