HMG to continue to run IE6

Rik · Jul 31, 2010, 16:24:23

El Reg reports that:

QuoteComputers in Whitehall will largely continue to run Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6, which will make web coders spit out their cheese'n'pickle sarnies this lunchtime.

"It is not straightforward for HMG departments to upgrade IE versions on their systems. Upgrading these systems to IE 8 can be a very large operation, taking weeks to test and roll out to all users."

That's according to the government's response to a petition submitted to Downing Street in February that opposed UK.gov's continued endorsement of Microsoft's IE 6.

"To test all the web applications currently used by HMG departments can take months at significant potential cost to the taxpayer. It is therefore more cost effective in many cases to continue to use IE6 and rely on other measures, such as firewalls and malware scanning software, to further protect public sector internet users," it said.

Doesn't it give you a nice safe and secure warm glow to know that our data is protected.

Simon · Jul 31, 2010, 17:08:43

Ray · Jul 31, 2010, 17:22:03

Can't say I'm surprised.

Rik · Jul 31, 2010, 17:23:43

Me neither. I was interested in the statement that "Upgrading these systems to IE 8 can be a very large operation, taking weeks to test and roll out to all users."

Weeks seems an underestimate to me.

Glenn · Jul 31, 2010, 17:30:03

Testing the apps could take months, but rolling out IE8, should only take a few minutes, if they use remote deployable packages, and some thing like Marimba or Altiris to control it.

Rik · Jul 31, 2010, 17:31:20

Lame excuse, you mean.

Glenn · Jul 31, 2010, 17:35:48

Three, are in the same position, they won't let us 'upgrade' the OS. One of the contact centres is still on XP sp2, which is out of MS support.

Rik · Jul 31, 2010, 17:36:40

Eventually, someone has to take the decision that the move must be made.

Glenn · Jul 31, 2010, 17:40:02

I think companies see IT depts as a drain on resources, all they do is spend money.

Rik · Jul 31, 2010, 17:41:05

They should scrap them and see what happens to their businesses.

Glenn · Jul 31, 2010, 17:44:05

Niall · Jul 31, 2010, 20:16:12

Quote from: Rik on Jul 31, 2010, 17:23:43
Me neither. I was interested in the statement that "Upgrading these systems to IE 8 can be a very large operation, taking weeks to test and roll out to all users."

Weeks seems an underestimate to me.

Surely it would be a case of testing the update on a batch of PCs before rolling out throughout the office. That's what they did in my place when they upgraded to XP from 2000.

I think the real reason is the simple fact it will cost money they don't have. Every government department is being asked to make 25-30% reductions in budget spending, and people are losing their fixed term jobs.

If they just came out with the truth in the first place, there would be an outcry and they'd be forced to upgrade. Sadly that will never happen, so we'll plod on until total collapse.

D-Dan · Jul 31, 2010, 23:09:33

I'm prepared to bet good money (a fiver anyone?) that the civil service goes open source before the next election.

In the current cost cutting climate, not needing Windows licenses will save £millions.

Steve

Simon · Jul 31, 2010, 23:14:39

I'd be prepared to bet that it doesn't even know what 'open source' is!

john · Aug 01, 2010, 00:26:09

We are still using IE6 at work for much the same reasons. It does take a lot of resources and money to thouroughly test that all the net applications will still run as expected. To move upgrade from the OS is an even bigger project.

Quote from: D-Dan on Jul 31, 2010, 23:09:33
I'm prepared to bet good money (a fiver anyone?) that the civil service goes open source before the next election.

In the current cost cutting climate, not needing Windows licenses will save £millions.

Steve

The cost of the licences is insignificant compared to the cost of support. For large companies this is often outsourced and it's relatively easy to find third party companies who have the expertise to support any version of MS Windows but a bit more difficult to find a company that will support open source software which in any case would not run all the applications anyway.

Niall · Aug 01, 2010, 09:12:24

Quote from: Simon on Jul 31, 2010, 23:14:39
I'd be prepared to bet that it doesn't even know what 'open source' is!

There's no way that would happen. It would involve re-training staff to install and monitor it, change pretty much every single package used and re-training all staff in the use of the new operating systems & software.

That will NEVER happen.