Re: [RLUG] [OxLUG] Private Eye article on Linux in local government

[Gary L. Allen]

Todd A. Jacobs wrote:

On Thu, 19 Jun 2003, Tim Hammerquist wrote:

  

I don't personally agree that open source should be mandated by any
governing body, political or corporate, if Linux is ever to prove itself
to the world at large.

Hi Guys (pardon my intrusion)-

In many, many ways, Linux has already proven itself. And it will continue to do so. As I understand it, the decision was made on the basis of cost, usability, and long term fit, with cost being the biggest single factor. M$ must learn to compete more effectively in the cost arena if they want to continue playing the solutions game.

I think you're missing the point here. Most governments have procurement 
rules that specify what can be bought and how. I see *nothing* wrong with 
saying that someone needs to justify spending big taxpayer bucks for 
commercial software if there's a FOSS solution that will do the job just 
as well.

I agree. The best tools should be chosen, depending on the criteria, no matter what those tools end up being.

That's really all this stuff is: a requirement that FOSS be evaluated
before plunking down $$$ for commercial solutions. It still needs to
compete on its technical merits, so I don't see the problem...unless
you're a commercial vendor whose software isn't *better* than the FOSS
alternatives.

Although technical merits are the most important, IMO, Linux needs to compete on many levels. It is doing so quite effectively. It has come a long way since I first started experimenting with it in '97. I have experimented with it sporatically since that time, and have recently started using it more consistently at home. I like it.

I also like the Windows NT family, and I will continue to use "it" along with Linux. That said, Windows isn't always the best tool/toy for my needs. I like the freedom of having both environments to choose from. That is, until M$ destroys my interest in Windows NT completely.

Unfortunately, my employer is a M$-only shop. I strongly wish they would allow us to perform the same kinds of cost analysis and fitness studies. I can think of a number of best fit places for Linux- in my software testing lab, in our data center, and on a number of general desktops. And I will continue to push for it. Why not push for the right tools for the job?

All the rest is FUD. 

  

Best to all!
-Gary

_______________________________________________ RLUG mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rlug.org/mailman/listinfo/rlug