Thesis (MA (Information Science. Socio-Informatics))--Stellenbosch University, 2009. / Open-source software is not something new; however, it has come into the spotlight in the last few years, mostly due to hyped initial cost savings of the Linux operating system. Consumers and businesses were made aware of shortcomings in the traditional proprietary software model and this has in turn created a surge in popularity of open-source. The migration to open-source requires efficient research of options available and thorough analysis of the migratory process through all levels of the organization. Initial independent cost analysis has not been conclusive, with unreliable, skewed results and below average performance due to poor implementation. The focus of this study is whether open-source software is a suitable alternative to current proprietary software packages utilized by the government sector.