Israeli government encourages free software

There's been an unusual amount of motion in Israel about free software 
employed in Israeli government. 

A couple of days ago, an online edition of Yedioth Ahronot, arguably most 
popular mass media newspaper in Israel, printed yet another article which 
says that a beta version of Hebrew OpenOffice (with full native Hebrew 
support) would be available in approximately two weeks.

Israeli Ministry of Treasury sponsored a workgroup that consists of free 
software developers and programmers appointed by various large companies that 
prepares a Hebrew version of OpenOffice. 

According to the article, the purpose of this project is to create a 
completely free, Hebrew enabled software to equip a workstation, thus 
dropping the cost of an average home computer to 500 dollars and making it 
available to people who were barely able to afford it before. 

It is my personal belief as an observer that, though OpenOffice technology is 
far from perfect, it will shape up in during this year and take the place it 
deserves in both Israeli government and home users.

-- 
"I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why 
don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem 
solve itself?"

This Linux in Government list is sponsored by Linux Journal.