HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT has announced it will be one of the first to join Microsoft's Government Security Program (GSP). This latest escapade from Redmond allows governments to take a good look at the source code for Windows. The idea is to allow some measure of security in using the OS for sensitive purposes, such as controlling the lives of millions on a day-to-day basis.

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"At Microsoft, we view any Government around the globe that uses our software as a trusted partner." So it's quite obvious that no one in Microsoft reads anything about the UK Government in the British press. "Our Government Security Program will provide UK Government agencies with the opportunity to assess the security and integrity of the Microsoft products they deploy," says the Vole. So it's quite obvious that no one in the UK government reads anything about Microsoft in the IT press either.

With the UK government's record of failed IT projects it has to be asked whether looking at the Windows source will do any good. And with its record on leaks, it has to be asked how long before a large chunk of Windows is effectively open source for all. We're sure that Microsoft isn't walking into this blind but we have to suspect it's got blinkers on its eyes. There can be no doubt this whole opening of the source is a direct response to the threat of Linux. The free open-source operating system has been gaining ground in governments for some time now and Microsoft is starting to jump whenever its name is mentioned.

The big question hanging over this whole deal is, if the UK government is prepared to examine source code and perhaps suggest or even implement fixes, why isn't it doing that with Linux instead? The opportunity to save public money is staring the government in the face and they are ignoring it. Still, on the basis of previous IT fiascos under the supervision of the UK government, perhaps it's better that we don't let them near the Linux source.