On 2012-05-20, at 21:22 , Rob Weir wrote: > On Sun, May 20, 2012 at 7:02 PM, Wolf Halton <wolf.hal...@gmail.com> wrote: >> Miss Cubilla, isn't certifying a platform usable with a software the >> responsibility of the hardware manufacturer? Perhaps I do not understand >> the request. >> > > If I had to guess, Acer needs to be sure that it has permission to > copy and redistribute the AOO software. The attachment (stripped when > sent to the list, but I have a copy as moderator) was a permission > that Microsoft granted for X copies of Office that must be fulfilled > via an authorized Microsoft OEM licensee. > > Of course, we have no such OEM restrictions with AOO. The license > permits anyone to copy, modify and redistribute. In particular, Acer > can source directly from us, or from any 3rd party if it is convenient > to have someone provide additional testing or patch support.
My experience has also been that government agencies refuse to have anything to do with software unless it passes all the license and operational tests proprietary software sold by a single vendor does. Put another way, it's difficult for these public sector institutions to adopt open source software because it deviates from the very narrow range of permissible options. I've encountered this situation many times, in countries all around the world, including Canada, those of South East Asia, and so on. Acer might be able to help her out. But I'd be quite interested to work with her to see if she can still satisfy the government requisites. The fact that the Apache Foundation is a separate and independent foundation with legal status will help her and others in similar situations, but if not this government then others, I know, will likely want to be able to assign liability and other faults to an identifiable legal entity. I'd be curious how Apache deals or has dealt with other similar situations. My guess—from downloading enough Apache software in my time—is by not making any claim, save caveat emptor. -louis > > -Rob > >>> Thanks for contacting us. As someone who has long championed the use of >>> OpenOffice in education, and specifically on netbooks and other portable >>> and mobile devices, I'm delighted to learn of your tender. You probably >>> know this, and if you do, my apologies, Apache OpenOffice is free to use >>> and distribute as you will and is licensed under the Apache License v.2. >>> >>> I have not tried Apache OpenOffice 3.4 on the Acer Travelmate. My guess is >>> that it works fine. However, issuing a statement to that effect, as a >>> "System Builder," may pose some logistical problems, as we are an open >>> source project composed of numerous groups operating within the Apache >>> Software Foundation. >>> >>> But your request is important. I'd like therefore to see if this solution >>> works for you and the government: A request to test Apache OpenOffice 3.4 >>> (for Linux, Windows 7, 8) be filed. As we are not a company as such, at >>> least not in the ways that Microsoft is, actually obtaining the Acer >>> netbooks for the testing could be a problem. Further, there is no saying >>> when the test on the Acer machines would be done, as it would depend upon >>> the availability of resources. We do not profit from Acer's use of AOO, >>> from your distribution or any company's, at least not directly. >>> >>> Do you have any we can test? Are you perhaps in contact with Acer and able >>> to connect us to that company, so that they can test the application on any >>> of their devices? (Joining the project is not hard; we would welcome your >>> participation and also that of Acer.) >>> >>> Alternatively, perhaps you or your colleagues might find it actually >>> fastest to install AOO 3.4 (in Spanish) on the machines? >>> >>> The government may not approve of such a manoeuvre, as you are not the >>> System Builder. But by joining Apache and participating, even in a modest >>> way, say by describing what your company is doing and planning, you can >>> effectively become part of the community building the application. >>> >>> These are the possibilities that may help you at this stage. I would >>> suggest you write to us soonest with more ideas on how you wish to proceed. >>> >>> Again, your efforts are laudable and praiseworthy. But you are not alone. >>> Portugal has gone through something similar—I can put you in touch with the >>> principal agents there—as has Brazil. And there are other countries in >>> Europe whose sub-national governments have also considered or are deploying >>> OpenOffice on education-ready netbooks. (Norway has used Intel education >>> netbooks, for instance.) >>> >>> Finally, you wrote to a very public list. You can find archives publicly >>> available via the usual search engines. Your message has no particularly >>> personal content, so rest assured. But do expect that my colleagues will >>> likely also respond—indeed, I see that Alexandro has already done that. >>> >>> By the way, I am curious if your company would also be providing the >>> education offices support? >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> Louis Suárez-Potts >>> Apache OpenOffice PPMC >>> >>> PS, Lo escribió en inglés por que es la convención por estas listas >>> abiertas. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 2012-05-18, at 17:50 , Veronica Cubilla wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> Who may concern: >>>> >>>> Regards from Panama!! >>>> >>>> This is Veronica Cubilla from Cubix Panama (www.cubixlat.com ) an >>> International Wholesaler who participated with a VAR in a tender of 17,800 >>> laptops with Education Minister in Panama that will be used by teachers. >>> One of the requirements of this tender was to include in the proposal Open >>> Office. >>>> >>>> The laptop we proposed was the Acer Travelmate P243 which have 320GB of >>> HDD. What we need for you is a Certification Letter for Acer as a System >>> Builder who can replicate your software in this laptop, using Apache Open >>> Office 3.4. >>>> >>>> If you need any other information about this tender you can see it in: >>> http://www.panamacompra.gob.pa/ambientepublico/VistaPreviaCP.aspx?NumLc=2012-0-07-0-08-AV-008941&esap=1&nnc=1&it=1, >>> where you can also find Microsoft letter certificating the usage of Win 7 >>> Pro (which is attached). >>>> >>>> Thanks in advance for your help. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> <image001.jpg> >>>> >>> >>>
