From the Dark Side--Microsoft's Bullet for Federal Government Macs?

Just as Apple has adapted to better compete with Windows and PCs (see Computerworld), could the hammer be dropping on Macs in the federal government workplace, at least those that can not run Windows?

An article in the online version of Federal Computer Week states that OMB is issuing mandatory guidance requiring the use of three standard configurations of Windows XP and Vista in all federal agencies.

According to the article:

"OMB is making this guidance mandatory in order to improve IT security across the government, experts said."

Plans for implementing the new standard must be completed by May 1, a fitting date for such an edict. The Soviet Union used to celebrate its existence on May Day.

However, it is not absolutely clear from the article if all other OS's in use by federal agencies are to be replaced with Windows or if the standards just apply to all Windows machines. We'll keep tabs on this development. [Bill Fox]