On Tue, 2008-10-21 at 10:29 -0400, Josh Sled wrote: > Balu Raman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > > The whole Google infrastructure is built on FOSS model, a > > massive grid running on Linux, in case you are afraid of an alternate model. > > Much of the Google infrastructure is quite proprietary and trade > secret. > True. I believe that a balance of free and non free is OK and in some cases even essential.
> > the only thing I can conclude is how clueless the authors are, > > Do you usually find that calling your audience "clueless" and "afraid" > is a good persuasive tactic? :) > While perhaps an unfortunate choice of words, what Mr Raman is calling VITL out on is the typically narrow perspective used by many consultants when shopping systems and options out. In my experience, pitching FOSS is often an uphill battle because of the usual (and generally understandable) fear of sticking your neck out. In the case of the government, especially today when all economic indicators are down and look to be staying there for a while, it makes even more sense to explore so-called 'alternative' paths and solutions for Information Technology projects. > > > Yes, I have talked to Mr.Farnham , and others in VITL. My only conclusion > > is that they have a different agenda, and there seems to be a high > > resistance and lack of motivation for looking at other > > disruptive models. > > How would you characterize their agenda, then? > I haven't read the VITL report, but if as Mr Raman alludes there is absolutely no mention of FOSS (not even a "We looked at projects X, Y and Z and found them to be lacking in these ways"), then I think the case could and probably should be made that the report is incomplete. If the report is incomplete and our tax dollars were spent to generate the report, then it would certainly be appropriate to ask for more information. I'm sure many of us on this list would gladly help out if we were asked; I certainly would. Mr Raman, thank you for your letter. While I agree that the rhetoric was a bit inflammatory and perhaps should have been toned down, the overall sentiment you express is sound. Rubin -- Rubin Bennett rbTechnologies, LLC 80 Carleton Boulevard East Montpelier, VT 05651 (802)223-4448 http://thatitguy.com "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too." Voltaire, Essay on Tolerance French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist (1694 - 1778)
