Is open source the answer for quality government software?
The source code for a Breathalyzer was recently released and analyzed. The result was appalling. This technology is being used to send people to jail, yet it cannot even do averages right. The programers for that need to go back to fourth grade to redo math.
This is not a first, in 2007 there was a similar incident with voting machines.If this is going to be a recurring problem then something really needs to be done. One solution would be to review every peice of software in use by the government, but regular reviews would most likely be extremely expensive.
Why should we continue to put our trust in these companies that have proved themselves incompetent on two separate occasions? Any developer that creates software for government uses should be forced to release the most current source code. Even better is to take the programs away from the companies and make it truly open source with dedicated coders hired by the government in addition to the ordinary people who just want to help out a country they love.
The benefits
- Open source has proven itself very secure, witha large amount of people reviewing the code regular check ups would not be necessary. Even if there was no option to actually submit code, it would still be easy to double check if the coders had correct previously found bugs or not. The pressure is on the company to actually be responsible with their practices.
- There is a possibility to make coding a community service. How many geeks want to go out and help build houses or pick up trash on the side of the road? I am sure there are quite a few, but for most it is just not their thing. On the other hand if it was possible to help out the community by actually coding applications used by the government, I have no doubt that a large amount of people would not think twice about pitching in.
- Who really wants private companies controlling all of our software? If the government did not catch these simple mistakes, what is stopping companies from putting in back doors? We would never find out. While not everyone trusts the government, I would feel safer knowing that the breathalyser that is used to either convict or set free suspected drunk drivers actually worked.
- Sure, I don’t want some college kid off the street programming a aircraft autopilot or a missile control system, but at least let us make sure the averaging is done right. As long as releasing the code will not hurt someone, it should be done.
I agree that there are things that the government should hide from the public due to national security. Voting machines and breathalysers are not among them. Anything that is on that short list I am even more worried about. I needs to be checked frequently and throughly by a trusted party.
Even smaller programs should be checked. What if you were convicted in a murder because the company that made the fingerprinting software was too lazy to actually fix their bugs? Something that important should not be withheld because the company is afraid they will “lose businesses”.
I’m really sick of companies misusing the government as they’re personal cash box. We need accountability and that is what open source software will provide us. Any company that complains about their “secrets” should be fired on the spot. The work is something that should be taken seriously and not half assed.
