On the one hand, there is a draft law under consideration (English) which is suggesting that the government should use FLOSS. However, it is clear that the proposal is only a draft and has a long way to go before it could be seriously implemented. On the other hand, the government has already signed a deal with Microsoft to provide software for government agencies. As the article points out, this deal was probably signed more over concerns about software piracy ather than long-term national security or domestic technical and economic development considerations. Although the software is presumable "open", it will be based on Microsoft's .NET technology, which brings into question any such claims. However, Bavaria (a Linux/FLOSS user) will be helping with the implementation.

All this is to say that it is hard to know what is really going on in Bulgaria with Linux and FLOSS. While other countries in similar economic straits have clearly identified the advantages of using FLOSS, evidently these issues are not yet on the table in Bulgaria. I would venture to guess that Bulgaria is focusing on the short-term goal of doing whatever it takes to fulfill the requirements for getting into the EU, and it will take some activism by local FLOSS enthusiasts to alert legislators to the real issues. Let's also hope that Bulgaria can get some help from Germany, as Germany is a true leader in this area, as well as an economic powerhouse.

Willy Smith reporting from Costa Rica