The city of Dortmund, Germany’s 8th largest city, is rapidly increasing its use of Linux. From 2015 to 2016, the number of Linux servers rose by 21%, from 200 to 242.
The rise of Linux servers is included in a report by the head of the city’s IT department, Winfried Bartel, submitted to the city council in February. The report was highlighted last week by Do-FOSS, a local free and open source advocacy group.
Reached by phone, the city’s IT department declined to comment on its use of Linux.
Do-FOSS, which comprises a handful of Dortmund citizens, is pushing the city administration to do more with free and open source software, to increase openness, trust, competition, cooperation and self-determination. The Do-FOSS advocacy group monitors the city council’s plans and announcements, and works with the city’s politicians.