On the other hand, badly written pseudoresearch that provides not real data is hardly objective research. I have been researching and participating in FOSS for a number of years. As a scientist with over 100 peer-reviewed publications, I can sure recognize pseudoscience when I see it. The use of clever arguments to try to sway opinion is hardly good, and objective research, but in the hands of people who do not understand science or logic, it can be dangerous.
In the event that what you say in this email is true, then I would encourage you to rewrite the paper in this way, and put in some hard data. Try also to understand systems of change, and where FOSS is in relation to systems of change. Imagine, for example, what proponents of horses would have said about automobiles when they first came out. Try to take an objective view of what is currently happening in terms of major IT players investing in FOSS. Don't fall into the trap of assuming GNU/Linux = FOSS. Learn a bit about some of the projects that are happening on the ground, and how they are contributing to development. While the article may be well-intentioned, I think it is poor science, badly researched, uses well known and studied pseudoscience argument techniques, irresponsible, and potentially dangerous. IMHO of course derek On Thu, 10/13/05, Dr Richard Heeks wrote: > The enthusiasm of those working with FOSS is encouraging, though that > engagement doesn't per se make them any more able to make an informed > judgement than those researching FOSS; indeed, it may make them less > able to stand back and see the big picture. > > FOSS has been an area plagued for too many years by talk of what it > could do or might achieve. Then, some real evidence - three surveys and > two cases drawn from three continents. This presents a very different > picture: one of marginality and with no sign, unless factors change, > that we are going to see the developmental potential of FOSS really > delivered. > > You can read this message in two ways: either that FOSS will never > deliver; or that the FOSS community needs to rethink its strategies. Or, > of course, if you've devoted months or years to FOSS and don't like the > message, you'll try to denigrate the writer, deny the data, and so > forth. > > As much as anyone, I'm working to see ICTs deliver for development. My > worry is that the FOSS community is not reality-checking itself. Too > much talking to other believers; not enough standing back to see what is > really being achieved. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
