1. Preface

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1.1. Abbreviations and terminology

Wherever possible, the first time an abbreviation is used the expanded version will also be included. A glossary of terms is provided in Appendix G. Where a glossary term is first introduced it will be presented in this style: Glossary.

The terms Open Source Software and Free Software each have their champions. In this report we use the term Open Source Software or OSS and intend this to mean that the software described has the characteristics implicit in both the terms Open Source Software and Free Software. For more on these terms see http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/categories.html/ and http://www.opensource.org/.

Product names will be presented in this style: Product Name.

Operating system terms such as file names will be presented in this style: Filename.

Program code will be presented in this style: Code.

1.2. Audience

This document is intended for IT managers in public administrations within Europe. The term Administration is used throughout the guidelines to mean a European public administration and the term Administrators to mean this group of people.

1.3. Authors

The report has been produced by netproject Ltd in conjunction with Frequentous Consultants Ltd. The content was produced by a number of consultants including:

1.4. Acknowledgements

netproject would like to thank the following for their help: