This document sets the stage for fact based discussions about Open Source. DII has a policy on the books now that *FOSS* is worth looking at, and encourages departments to ask for Open Standards. This is a huge building block and enabler for proposals for FOSS, and the discussion to come down to real discussion rather than "FOSS Can't do what we need".
The document still leaves plenty of room for non-FOSS use and handwaving, encapsulated in section 2, Policy, quoted here: a. Decisions on whether to utilize open source software should be made within the context of total cost of ownership. The total cost of ownership includes both fixed costs (direct purchases and licensing) and operational costs for *support*, testing, upgrades, maintenance and *training*. b. Each agency and department should carefully review their business requirements for technology solutions as they consider new projects. c. The selection of any software solution, whether open source or proprietary, *should be based on whether the proposed solution meets the business objectives of the department or agency*. Agencies and Departments *may be asked to document *that they have vetted opportunities to consider open source software as part of the contracting process The "may be asked to document" language is outstanding. There can still be "Only Outlook/Exchange can do what we need" hand waving, and state employees like Flint can keep their Microsoft Word, but this makes room for larger projects to seriously consider the use of FOSS. The VOKAL group (Using KOHA in Vermont Libraries) will likely be hugely empowered by this Policy as the DOL begins to look at replacing aging software with a new infrastructure. I'd put money on an Exchange server being replaced with FOSS before a single Linux/OOo deployment happens. Stan On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 11:29 AM, joe golden <[email protected]> wrote: > Has the State finally come to its senses? Please peruse this doc closely. > Does it have teeth? Will people read it? > > It certainly seems to be the real deal. Section 1.2, page 3 says "... an > investigation of potential open source software solutions should be > conducted prior to issuing a bid for proprietary software solutions, ..." > This could be huge for Open Sourcerers. > > Can someone convert the damn PDF image of the doc to a text format. That > should make for easier dissemination and discussion. (This is not a > droll/troll ;-) ) > > Note that the Euros are aware of this: > http://www.openforumeurope.org/press-room/latest-news/vermont-adopts-open-source-software-policy > > Happy Techno Spring. > -- > Joe Golden /_\ www.triangul.us /_\ People, Ideas, Connections >
