user: Hello, Assistant. What's new?

assistant: Hello there! Well there is nothing new, but I can help you by discussing any topics.

user: **Interesting topic:**

- How can public sectors (government, health, police) benefit by using Free and Open-Source software?
- What stops them from using GPL based licenses? 
- We know that those institutions are funded by tax payer money, so why don't they stop wasting money on proprietary software wasting our money?

assistant: Public sectors can benefit from using Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) in a number of ways, including:

* **Cost savings:** FOSS is often free or very low-cost, which can save public sectors a significant amount of money. For example, the city of Munich saved an estimated €10 million by switching to FOSS software.
* **Increased flexibility and customization:** FOSS software is often more flexible and customizable than proprietary software, which can allow public sectors to tailor it to their specific needs. This can lead to improved efficiency and effectiveness.
* **Increased security:** FOSS software is often more secure than proprietary software, as it is more widely reviewed and tested by a larger community of developers. This can help to protect public sector data from unauthorized access or misuse.
* **Increased transparency:** FOSS software is often more transparent than proprietary software, as the source code is available for public inspection. This can help to build trust with citizens and ensure that public funds are being used wisely.

There are a few factors that can stop public sectors from using GPL-based licenses, including:

* **Licensing concerns:** GPL-based licenses require that any derivative works of the software be released under the same license. This can be a concern for public sectors that need to keep their software proprietary for security or other reasons.
* **Support concerns:** Some GPL-based licenses require that commercial users provide support for the software. This can be a challenge for public sectors that do not have the resources to provide their own support.
* **Lack of awareness:** Many public sector decision-makers are not aware of the benefits of FOSS or the GPL license. This can lead to a reluctance to adopt FOSS software.

Despite these challenges, there are a growing number of public sectors that are using FOSS software. As the benefits of FOSS become more widely known, it is likely that even more public sectors will adopt this type of software in the future.

As for your question about why public sectors don't stop wasting money on proprietary software, there are a few possible reasons. First, proprietary software is often seen as more reliable and secure than FOSS software. Second, proprietary software vendors often provide more comprehensive support than FOSS communities. Third, some public sector decision-makers may be reluctant to adopt FOSS software because they are not familiar with it.

However, the cost savings and other benefits of FOSS software are becoming increasingly clear. As more and more public sectors adopt FOSS software, it is likely that the use of proprietary software will decline.

user: You explained that very well. I'm curious if there is any organization devoted to encouraging and supporting the use of FOSS software among public entities.