InfoWorld: Mass. official: "Open source" reports overstated.

In that memo, Kriss mentioned Linux but did not say that the state should give any preference to that operating system over proprietary systems such as Windows. No mention of a Freeware Initiative was made in the memo, he said. "I never heard that term. I never said it. We're not pursuing any kind of 'Freeware Initiative' and anyone who is saying that is making inaccurate statements," he said.

"We're seeking systems and components and software functionality that use open standards," he said.

Going forward, the state will evaluate both proprietary and open source products to see how well they fit the Commonwealth's needs, he said.