December 20, 2012 at 14:59Answers of the Minister of Communications to the questions of habrauserov: part 2
Hello! From the Ministry of Communications, a second batch of answers to the questions of habrausers came to us . You can get acquainted with them under the cut.
In this part, answers to questions regarding free software ( STR ) and the national software platform ( NPP ) (the spelling and punctuation of the authors are preserved). Responds to the adviser of the department for the development of the information technology industry, Sergey Negodyaev .
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Question 1. Why when drawing up bills, concerning it, compilers do not enjoy the support of experts? The latest bill only confirmed this.
Answer:Information transparency and decision-making efficiency is enhanced when working with a pool of experts. Moreover, in many cases, the Ministry should not be the only center for decision-making and development of measures, the center should be in the expert community, especially in such a modern and versatile industry as IT. We are constantly in contact with company representatives, the business community and industry associations. About two months ago, an expert council of the Russian Ministry of Telecommunications and Communications on the development of the IT industry was created under the leadership of the profile deputy minister, which included representatives of most segments of the Russian IT industry. By the way, we will adjust the composition of this council in the first half of 2013. Among other things, we plan to introduce information security specialists into its composition.
As for the bills already developed at the Ministry, I ask you to specify the bill that is being discussed in the question so that we can comment. On the bills currently being drafted and planned for development in the future, expert work is and will continue. In particular, in relation to the draft law “On Communications”, lists of industry experts are already being drawn up who will be involved in the work.
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Question 2. 2. Will there be amendments in 94-ФЗ permitting to make purchases of software without announcing a tender?
Answer: Of course, the mechanism for implementing public procurement procedures in accordance with the legislation in this area is not ideal.
But at present, 94-FZ is a tool to stimulate competition, increase procurement transparency and reduce the cost of services and products for the state customer. To date, the rejection of tenders when purchasing software is not planned.
At the same time, the main criterion for evaluating the supplier's proposal in the existing competition law is price. This approach works great for simple products - paper, printers and so on, which really manage to be purchased at low prices. And, unfortunately, this criterion does not work when creating complex integrated information systems: often an executor is an organization that does not have the necessary qualifications and, therefore, cannot ensure the quality of the result. To avoid this situation, it is necessary to more thoroughly and in detail prepare a technical task for work, which many government customers do not do, and suffer from it.
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Question 3.Will there be benefits for software developers? To not be, as it is now: cheaper to transfer development to other countries.
Answer: For software developers, there are already a number of benefits, the main of which is the benefit for insurance premiums in accordance with 212-FZ. In some cases, software developers can use other benefits, in particular, those granted to residents of special economic zones (benefits for insurance premiums and income taxes) and Skolkovo residents (benefits for insurance premiums, VAT, etc.).
We understand that for many software developers insurance premiums are actually a “sales tax” and constitute a significant expense item.
The Ministry of Communications of Russia considers it important to extend the benefits for insurance premiums in accordance with 212-FZ for the period after 2017 and reduce the number of employees required to receive benefits from 30 to 8 people.
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Question 4. A set of issues related to the use of free software ( STR ) and the national software platform ( NPP ) in the following aspects: “the use of Microsoft products in government services”; "Confrontation" national OS vs contract with Microsoft "; licensing policy, standards for the formats and protocols used.
Answer: There is no obviously successful practice of applying open source software in the world.in government bodies. There has not yet been an example of the successful creation of a state operating system: China's experience in implementing such a project for the development of the state has not yet received positive expert reviews. That is why we believe that it is necessary to use open government mechanisms, that is, with the involvement of all industry experts and stakeholders, to discuss the possibility of introducing STRs in government and creating NPPs using STRs .
During the discussion, it is important to clarify the basic requirements for the use of open source software in government bodies, as well as discuss the safety issues of using open source software, its compatibility with software and hardware solutions that are already used in government agencies, compliance with the application of open source software to current world practice.
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The ministry noted that there is a whole group questions for which there is no concrete detailed answer yet, but there is a formed position. There are many complex words, so it was decided to briefly outline the main points in a short answer, it is contained in the general list of questions and answers.
User questions on open source software and NPP .
1.Judging by the news feeds, you are openly advocating the use of Microsoft products in government services. Do not you think that the transition to a single platform based on free technologies is better in the long term for the state and the development of IT in it?
2. What news about the confrontation "national OS vs contract with Microsoft"?
3. What is meant by the words “lack of a unified licensing policy”, “lack of unified architectural, organizational and technical solutions” in relation to NPP? Don't BSD, GPL licenses define licensing? And RFC for proforma?
4.Does this mean that during tenders, companies offering services to support STRs will not be able to compete based on the characteristics of the services provided and their prices? And what determines the words of Nikolai Nikiforov “You need to understand what you spent on and what you need to spend taxpayer money on in the NPP”? Does this mean that in the person of Minister Nikolai Nikiforov, the ministry will offer another vendor-lock in software platforms (OS and software) and technologies for the state?
5.Standards for formats and protocols. Why does the ministry, in fact, not regulate the standardization of protocols and data formats? Why are the Russian standardizing groups participating in ISO, in fact, completely irresponsible in adopting international standards (mindful of the adoption of the ooxml standard), and the ministry does not exercise supervisory functions regarding standardization? Today, confusion and reeling with standards for formats and protocols for data exchange is observed literally everywhere. From polyclinic and tax to air navigation and shipping. Well, the trade with GOSTs has already become a parable in languages. Is it not first of all that the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media should establish / define data exchange standards, verify and bring these standards into line with realities (including international ones), to make standards completely open and free of charge accessible to any from any country? Is it not in the light of joining the WTO that these are the right steps in creating a competitive environment in a market economy? Today, the situation when only certain organizations and decisions of only certain suppliers and manufacturers are allowed when choosing hardware and software solutions in violation of the RF monopoly law is very common. I would very much like for the ministries of the Russian Federation to finally begin to work and eradicate this vicious practice that does not fit into normal market relations. only certain organizations and decisions of only certain suppliers and manufacturers in violation of the law of the Russian Federation on monopolies, all the time. I would very much like for the ministries of the Russian Federation to finally begin to work and eradicate this vicious practice that does not fit into normal market relations. only certain organizations and decisions of only certain suppliers and manufacturers in violation of the law of the Russian Federation on monopolies, all the time. I would very much like for the ministries of the Russian Federation to finally begin to work and eradicate this vicious practice that does not fit into normal market relations.
6. National software platform. Will a detailed analysis be published justifying the rejection of free software? Something like this:
1. Free software
1.1. Pros:
- Savings, on economies of scale, once you pay for development / development, you can use the software in an unlimited number of copies and unlimited time
- Security, open source codes allow you to do a security audit yourself and, in addition, lead to the fact that many experts conduct it on to the whole world (even the American NSA uses Linux). And it will be much more difficult to introduce a bookmark with free software to a likely adversary, and there are few of them with viruses tight.
- The development of your IT industry, for a proprietary system, you can also write application software, but we will lose specialists capable of developing the OS.
- Full control over the directions of development of the necessary software, which we will order will be done, while the availability of source codes allows us to estimate development costs, and not just trust the supplier.
- Reliability, servers and supercomputers usually work under free OS.
- Openness - the return to the community of developments made at the expense of taxpayers, this is absolutely logical, it belongs to people. The use of open formats is also important - this gives equal access to information to all citizens and solves many more problems (such as guaranteed long-term storage).
1.2. Minuses
- something doesn’t work (it’s cheaper to order a revision than to pay for a huge number of licenses)
- there will be few kickbacks and at the wrong level
- it will have to work, especially during transition
2. Proprietary software
2.1. Pluses
- everything is ready only pay with petrodollars
- kickbacks can be given so much that can not be carried away
- that is, you can not change
2.2. Cons
- described in the advantages of open source software: money goes to border specialists, the NSA implements bookmarks (therefore they themselves do not use it), the fight against viruses is a constant problem, etc.
7.What are your views on free licenses (Creative Commons, BSD, GPL, MIT, etc.)? Is their final and firm legalization possible? Do not you think that the information created for budgetary funds should by default be laid out in the public domain under a free license? (such as all NASA materials).
Answer: The question of the appropriateness and measures of support for free software ( STR ) is currently relevant for many countries of the world. An analysis of foreign experience shows a tendency towards migration of some public sector decisions of some countries (including Brazil, South Korea, Switzerland) to open source software and the creation of complex multi-component solutions.
At the same time, there are examples when the implementation of open source softwareIt was recognized as unsuccessful and decisions were made to refuse its use.
For example, in China, measures to support open source software , which include, in addition to direct support from developers, the creation of a state OS, are not recognized by the expert community as having noticeable positive results for the development of the state.
In order to form a coordinated position in Russia between interested executive bodies, software development organizations and its end users, it seems advisable to discuss issues related to the use of open source software using open government mechanisms . Including its effectiveness, competitiveness and safety.
Among the subjects of discussion may be a plan for the transition of federal executive bodies and federal budgetary institutions to the use of open source software , approved by decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2299-r dated 12/17/2010.
A related issue is the creation of the National Software Platform ( NPP ), which is planned to be created from components based on both domestic developments in the field of open source software and domestic proprietary software.
It is also advisable to clarify the basic requirements for the use of open source software in government bodies.
In this regard, without expert discussion and subsequent analysis, without assessing compatibility with software and hardware used by authorities and other organizations, the implementation of measures to switch to the use of open source software and to create NPPs may prove to be ineffective.
No less important are the fundamental, installation questions: to what extent and in the interests of which consumers of open source software is it advisable for the state to support the development of open source software in Russia today, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of open source software ? What should be a NPP , and has the relevance of creating a NPP decreasedin Russia in connection with existing trends in the development of the software market and information technology in general? What sections of measures for the transition to the use of open source software and the creation of NPPs are most necessary for the population, business, and the state? How can activities in support of open source software and implementation of NPPs help to increase the competitiveness of the Russian IT industry?
We emphasize that any artificial restriction of competition leads to a deterioration in quality and a slowdown in the creation of innovations. Separation of software by licensing method in some cases (but not in all) is a limitation that can give unjustified, non-competitive advantages to market players. Many countries have a Resolution on the Inadmissibility of Discrimination in the System of Preference for Public Procurement or another similar regulatory act. The role of the regulator is to ensure the principles of fair competition with due respect for security interests in those areas where this is necessary.
We suggest involving industry experts, including members of the Expert Council for the Development of Information Technologies, specialists of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Communications of Russia, representatives of interested organizations, including members of the Russian Free Software Association ( RASPO ) and the NPP technology platform , as well as other interested parties.
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" Answers of the Minister of Communications to questions of habrauserov: part 1 (about informatization and public services)
» A complete list of questions
The next on the list are questions on the development of the IT industry, then on communications and postal services, and the minister will answer the top 10 questions on the list. We look forward to it - they promised to manage before the end of the year.
In this part, answers to questions regarding free software ( STR ) and the national software platform ( NPP ) (the spelling and punctuation of the authors are preserved). Responds to the adviser of the department for the development of the information technology industry, Sergey Negodyaev .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Question 1. Why when drawing up bills, concerning it, compilers do not enjoy the support of experts? The latest bill only confirmed this.
Answer:Information transparency and decision-making efficiency is enhanced when working with a pool of experts. Moreover, in many cases, the Ministry should not be the only center for decision-making and development of measures, the center should be in the expert community, especially in such a modern and versatile industry as IT. We are constantly in contact with company representatives, the business community and industry associations. About two months ago, an expert council of the Russian Ministry of Telecommunications and Communications on the development of the IT industry was created under the leadership of the profile deputy minister, which included representatives of most segments of the Russian IT industry. By the way, we will adjust the composition of this council in the first half of 2013. Among other things, we plan to introduce information security specialists into its composition.
As for the bills already developed at the Ministry, I ask you to specify the bill that is being discussed in the question so that we can comment. On the bills currently being drafted and planned for development in the future, expert work is and will continue. In particular, in relation to the draft law “On Communications”, lists of industry experts are already being drawn up who will be involved in the work.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Question 2. 2. Will there be amendments in 94-ФЗ permitting to make purchases of software without announcing a tender?
Answer: Of course, the mechanism for implementing public procurement procedures in accordance with the legislation in this area is not ideal.
But at present, 94-FZ is a tool to stimulate competition, increase procurement transparency and reduce the cost of services and products for the state customer. To date, the rejection of tenders when purchasing software is not planned.
At the same time, the main criterion for evaluating the supplier's proposal in the existing competition law is price. This approach works great for simple products - paper, printers and so on, which really manage to be purchased at low prices. And, unfortunately, this criterion does not work when creating complex integrated information systems: often an executor is an organization that does not have the necessary qualifications and, therefore, cannot ensure the quality of the result. To avoid this situation, it is necessary to more thoroughly and in detail prepare a technical task for work, which many government customers do not do, and suffer from it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Question 3.Will there be benefits for software developers? To not be, as it is now: cheaper to transfer development to other countries.
Answer: For software developers, there are already a number of benefits, the main of which is the benefit for insurance premiums in accordance with 212-FZ. In some cases, software developers can use other benefits, in particular, those granted to residents of special economic zones (benefits for insurance premiums and income taxes) and Skolkovo residents (benefits for insurance premiums, VAT, etc.).
We understand that for many software developers insurance premiums are actually a “sales tax” and constitute a significant expense item.
The Ministry of Communications of Russia considers it important to extend the benefits for insurance premiums in accordance with 212-FZ for the period after 2017 and reduce the number of employees required to receive benefits from 30 to 8 people.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Question 4. A set of issues related to the use of free software ( STR ) and the national software platform ( NPP ) in the following aspects: “the use of Microsoft products in government services”; "Confrontation" national OS vs contract with Microsoft "; licensing policy, standards for the formats and protocols used.
Answer: There is no obviously successful practice of applying open source software in the world.in government bodies. There has not yet been an example of the successful creation of a state operating system: China's experience in implementing such a project for the development of the state has not yet received positive expert reviews. That is why we believe that it is necessary to use open government mechanisms, that is, with the involvement of all industry experts and stakeholders, to discuss the possibility of introducing STRs in government and creating NPPs using STRs .
During the discussion, it is important to clarify the basic requirements for the use of open source software in government bodies, as well as discuss the safety issues of using open source software, its compatibility with software and hardware solutions that are already used in government agencies, compliance with the application of open source software to current world practice.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The ministry noted that there is a whole group questions for which there is no concrete detailed answer yet, but there is a formed position. There are many complex words, so it was decided to briefly outline the main points in a short answer, it is contained in the general list of questions and answers.
User questions on open source software and NPP .
1.Judging by the news feeds, you are openly advocating the use of Microsoft products in government services. Do not you think that the transition to a single platform based on free technologies is better in the long term for the state and the development of IT in it?
2. What news about the confrontation "national OS vs contract with Microsoft"?
3. What is meant by the words “lack of a unified licensing policy”, “lack of unified architectural, organizational and technical solutions” in relation to NPP? Don't BSD, GPL licenses define licensing? And RFC for proforma?
4.Does this mean that during tenders, companies offering services to support STRs will not be able to compete based on the characteristics of the services provided and their prices? And what determines the words of Nikolai Nikiforov “You need to understand what you spent on and what you need to spend taxpayer money on in the NPP”? Does this mean that in the person of Minister Nikolai Nikiforov, the ministry will offer another vendor-lock in software platforms (OS and software) and technologies for the state?
5.Standards for formats and protocols. Why does the ministry, in fact, not regulate the standardization of protocols and data formats? Why are the Russian standardizing groups participating in ISO, in fact, completely irresponsible in adopting international standards (mindful of the adoption of the ooxml standard), and the ministry does not exercise supervisory functions regarding standardization? Today, confusion and reeling with standards for formats and protocols for data exchange is observed literally everywhere. From polyclinic and tax to air navigation and shipping. Well, the trade with GOSTs has already become a parable in languages. Is it not first of all that the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media should establish / define data exchange standards, verify and bring these standards into line with realities (including international ones), to make standards completely open and free of charge accessible to any from any country? Is it not in the light of joining the WTO that these are the right steps in creating a competitive environment in a market economy? Today, the situation when only certain organizations and decisions of only certain suppliers and manufacturers are allowed when choosing hardware and software solutions in violation of the RF monopoly law is very common. I would very much like for the ministries of the Russian Federation to finally begin to work and eradicate this vicious practice that does not fit into normal market relations. only certain organizations and decisions of only certain suppliers and manufacturers in violation of the law of the Russian Federation on monopolies, all the time. I would very much like for the ministries of the Russian Federation to finally begin to work and eradicate this vicious practice that does not fit into normal market relations. only certain organizations and decisions of only certain suppliers and manufacturers in violation of the law of the Russian Federation on monopolies, all the time. I would very much like for the ministries of the Russian Federation to finally begin to work and eradicate this vicious practice that does not fit into normal market relations.
6. National software platform. Will a detailed analysis be published justifying the rejection of free software? Something like this:
1. Free software
1.1. Pros:
- Savings, on economies of scale, once you pay for development / development, you can use the software in an unlimited number of copies and unlimited time
- Security, open source codes allow you to do a security audit yourself and, in addition, lead to the fact that many experts conduct it on to the whole world (even the American NSA uses Linux). And it will be much more difficult to introduce a bookmark with free software to a likely adversary, and there are few of them with viruses tight.
- The development of your IT industry, for a proprietary system, you can also write application software, but we will lose specialists capable of developing the OS.
- Full control over the directions of development of the necessary software, which we will order will be done, while the availability of source codes allows us to estimate development costs, and not just trust the supplier.
- Reliability, servers and supercomputers usually work under free OS.
- Openness - the return to the community of developments made at the expense of taxpayers, this is absolutely logical, it belongs to people. The use of open formats is also important - this gives equal access to information to all citizens and solves many more problems (such as guaranteed long-term storage).
1.2. Minuses
- something doesn’t work (it’s cheaper to order a revision than to pay for a huge number of licenses)
- there will be few kickbacks and at the wrong level
- it will have to work, especially during transition
2. Proprietary software
2.1. Pluses
- everything is ready only pay with petrodollars
- kickbacks can be given so much that can not be carried away
- that is, you can not change
2.2. Cons
- described in the advantages of open source software: money goes to border specialists, the NSA implements bookmarks (therefore they themselves do not use it), the fight against viruses is a constant problem, etc.
7.What are your views on free licenses (Creative Commons, BSD, GPL, MIT, etc.)? Is their final and firm legalization possible? Do not you think that the information created for budgetary funds should by default be laid out in the public domain under a free license? (such as all NASA materials).
Answer: The question of the appropriateness and measures of support for free software ( STR ) is currently relevant for many countries of the world. An analysis of foreign experience shows a tendency towards migration of some public sector decisions of some countries (including Brazil, South Korea, Switzerland) to open source software and the creation of complex multi-component solutions.
At the same time, there are examples when the implementation of open source softwareIt was recognized as unsuccessful and decisions were made to refuse its use.
For example, in China, measures to support open source software , which include, in addition to direct support from developers, the creation of a state OS, are not recognized by the expert community as having noticeable positive results for the development of the state.
In order to form a coordinated position in Russia between interested executive bodies, software development organizations and its end users, it seems advisable to discuss issues related to the use of open source software using open government mechanisms . Including its effectiveness, competitiveness and safety.
Among the subjects of discussion may be a plan for the transition of federal executive bodies and federal budgetary institutions to the use of open source software , approved by decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2299-r dated 12/17/2010.
A related issue is the creation of the National Software Platform ( NPP ), which is planned to be created from components based on both domestic developments in the field of open source software and domestic proprietary software.
It is also advisable to clarify the basic requirements for the use of open source software in government bodies.
In this regard, without expert discussion and subsequent analysis, without assessing compatibility with software and hardware used by authorities and other organizations, the implementation of measures to switch to the use of open source software and to create NPPs may prove to be ineffective.
No less important are the fundamental, installation questions: to what extent and in the interests of which consumers of open source software is it advisable for the state to support the development of open source software in Russia today, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of open source software ? What should be a NPP , and has the relevance of creating a NPP decreasedin Russia in connection with existing trends in the development of the software market and information technology in general? What sections of measures for the transition to the use of open source software and the creation of NPPs are most necessary for the population, business, and the state? How can activities in support of open source software and implementation of NPPs help to increase the competitiveness of the Russian IT industry?
We emphasize that any artificial restriction of competition leads to a deterioration in quality and a slowdown in the creation of innovations. Separation of software by licensing method in some cases (but not in all) is a limitation that can give unjustified, non-competitive advantages to market players. Many countries have a Resolution on the Inadmissibility of Discrimination in the System of Preference for Public Procurement or another similar regulatory act. The role of the regulator is to ensure the principles of fair competition with due respect for security interests in those areas where this is necessary.
We suggest involving industry experts, including members of the Expert Council for the Development of Information Technologies, specialists of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Communications of Russia, representatives of interested organizations, including members of the Russian Free Software Association ( RASPO ) and the NPP technology platform , as well as other interested parties.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
" Answers of the Minister of Communications to questions of habrauserov: part 1 (about informatization and public services)
» A complete list of questions
The next on the list are questions on the development of the IT industry, then on communications and postal services, and the minister will answer the top 10 questions on the list. We look forward to it - they promised to manage before the end of the year.