Community commentary: Encouraging open code in public procurement policies

[cpaul at telemetrybox.org]

On Sun, Feb 10, 2002 at 02:39:03PM -1000, Warren Togami wrote:
> Two things:
> 1. Businesses looking for solution providers don't care.  Many of the
> traditionalists in fact are AFRAID of the "free software" lingo.  You just
> can't take that approach in a sales pitch.

Yes, using "open source" with companies As A Pitch is good.  However, I take Bruce Peren's side when it comes to the proper usage of "open source".  Use "Open Source" with the suits, but after the sale use "Free Software."

I understand that it is impossible to only use Free Software in a business environment.  Free Software advocates should not actively seek to use shiny proprietary solutions however.  Proprietary "junk" should only be used if there is NO OTHER OPTION.  

For example, I just recently landed a contract to automate a travel agency - I'll be using Free Software for everything, Debian Servers, PHP, MySQL and Apache...  MS Access HAS to be used at the front-end.  There is no way around it.  Do I consider myself a Free Software advocate?  

Yes.  I didn't just go in and do a "stealth" install of Free Software.  I explained to them that I was a Free Software programmer, explained what Free Software was.  (GPL, MySQL, Apache, etc...)  I did my part to educate them on the philosophy and the advantages of using Free Software.   I did recognize the fact that the office is already using MS Office, and that Access had MySQL ODBC drivers, so I opted to use the Microsoft platform for the front-end...  I however, did NOT suggest that they purchase new Microsoft licenses or software.     

> 2. Ximian sells a proprietary Exchange server connector for their Evolution
<snip>
> None of these companies are open source advocates?

No.

There may be departments at HP or IBM or Sun who do support the Open Source philosophy, but the companies as a whole have no leanings towards the philosophy of free software.  Not open source advocates.

The Kompany, Ximian and ActiveState all make great Free Software programs - however, their business model depends on the sale of proprietary software.  Not open source advocates.


Aloha,
Charles