"Dean Michael Berris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > On 12/8/06, Daniel Escasa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> 3. I might add to Ciaran's point 3 that, from a technical standpoint, >> we would like to see code developed for a government agency so the >> public can audit it. That's one of the ideas behind open source, yes? >> And, being able to audit it empowers us to improve on the code. >> > > Actually, the ideas behind open source is for open collaboration. Only > the GPL had the idea of licensing the code to the general public. > > And just because it's open doesn't mean people will actually look... > This is the biggest misnomer that is propagated by the FOSS zealots.
The fact that it's open doesn't mean people will look -- but it means people *CAN* look. It's called transparency. >> 4. If disaster strikes the provider and they are unable to continue >> maintaning the software, any qualified entity can come in and take >> over -- subject of course to the usual bidding procedures -- and "hit >> the ground running", having already studied the system. In fact, that >> can be one of the criteria for qualifying bidders: that they >> *demonstrate* an understanding of the system and their ability to take >> over. >> > > Again, this is a what-if. Had government had the rights to the source > code in the first place, and an acquired right (via the license) to > have it modified as it sees fit -- even have a third party do it for > the government -- then there's really no need for the code to be made > public at all. It's about the transparency. Let me repeat: Transparency, Transparency, Transparency. NOT about the collaboration -- with transparency, you get that for free. BUT, it's about Transparency, Transparency, Transparency. > The only democratic exercise that the Filipino people can participate > in as much as the government is concerned is the election process. Go > look it up. And is this not also a democratic process? Is this not also a way for us to participate, by contesting bills that the people we have elected have placed before us and asked "see here, what do you think? This'll benefit us all." ? Can we not say "hey, I disagree" and come to a consensus whether or not it is indeed "good"? Because if election's the only democratic exercise that the Filipino people can participate in, then all this talk is useless. The senators and the congressmen and Madam President can simply issue laws without our consent. But they _can't_. -- JM Ibanez Senior Software Engineer Orange & Bronze Software Labs, Ltd. Co. [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://software.orangeandbronze.com/ _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
