In a recent article (http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=747399&fid=980 <http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=747399&fid=980>) you conclude:
"In sum, open-source systems are currently too risky, and are less cost-effective than commercial software products."
I find it quite a surprise to hear such a conclusive statement coming from an independent academic.
1. In terms of TCO, which is the main thrust of the article, you are surely aware of the fact that the analysts are from from unanimous as could be implied by your review. Robert Frances group, as an example, quote a factor of between 2 and 3 in favour of Linux (http://www-1.ibm.com/linux/RFG-LinuxTCO-vFINAL-Jul2002.pdf). See also http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6296-1060248.html.
2. To assume that a research funded by MicroSoft, the company most threatened by Linux, is impartial and objective is naive, to say the least. I am sure that you are also aware that this research has been scrutinized for its methodology, for instance the fact that it was conducted over a period of 5 years, without accounting for advances during this period.
3. Even protagonists of windows admit that its TCO advantage diminishes, if not reverses altogether, as the number of managed systems increases. This fact is particularly relevant for the government sector.
4. Extrapolating from the OS to all software systems needs justification. Many European institutions are shifting towards replacing MS-Office with OpenOffice. I believe the Israeli government is considering this option as well. In this case, I can see no "TCO advantage" for MicroSoft.
5. Presenting MicroSoft's stance on Linux and OSS is unquestionably important. However, I would expect to see it balanced by IBM and Oracle's position.
6. The data you presented fails to explain the rapid growth in Linux and OSS market share over the last decade. Surely, you do not attribute this phenomena to massive marketing campaigns.
7. Last, the claim that "open-source systems are risky" warrants explanation. I find it hard to recall when was the last time a Linux based enterprise was jeopardized by an email worm. Apache web server obtained dominance not for its price, but for its reliability.
Sincerely,
- Yishay Mor
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Yishay Mor
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