tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post7863486343285419175..comments2023-02-28T04:27:34.271-04:00Comments on jrose.ca: campaigning to innovate, reduxJeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10802691019715076243noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post-37116017112075513722009-06-02T14:53:10.350-03:002009-06-02T14:53:10.350-03:00IMHO, Microsoft's limited embrace of open standard...IMHO, Microsoft's limited embrace of open standards only really came about as a result of large organizations moving to include open standards as requirements in RFPs. In my organization we're faced with serious decisions about committing to the MS stack or looking at more open solutions. MS will argue that their integrated products deliver greater value and more streamlined support ("one throat to choke" as opposed to a mix of vendors/FLOSS) -- hard to argue with that. On the other hand we're supposed to encourage a competive procurement environment -- pretty tough to do when all your desktop or middle-tier or db solutions are inextricably linked to other products from the same vendor.<br /><br />On another note, it was interesting to see the enthusiasm for open source products. I assume that this is coming mostly from younger public servants. It'll be interesting to see if their views carry forward as they move into more senior positions.Steve Davishttp://elgg.srv.gc.ca/elgg/pg/profile/Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post-29068049464421644622009-05-31T15:42:20.979-03:002009-05-31T15:42:20.979-03:00Perhaps I should apologize for the flame baiting c...Perhaps I should apologize for the flame baiting comment in the first place. I could write an entire blog post about this, but <A HREF="http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=CW&q=linux+is+a+cancer&btnG=Search&meta=" REL="nofollow">here</A> <A HREF="http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=microsoft+patents+linux&btnG=Search&meta=" REL="nofollow">are</A> <A HREF="http://www.google.ca/search?q=bill+gates+invented+open+source&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" REL="nofollow">some</A> <A HREF="http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=microsoft+halloween+documents&btnG=Search&meta=" REL="nofollow">Google</A> <A HREF="http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=embrace+extend+extinguish&btnG=Search&meta=" REL="nofollow">searchs</A> you can check out. You're probably familiar with most of this criticism.<br /><br />What it comes down to is that Microsoft has spread a lot of FUD about Linux and open source software. They've at times dismissed, demonized, and threatened free software (free as in freedom, not free as in beer, as the saying goes). <br /><br />So it's not surprising that open source proponents are wary of any Microsoft lead solution. This is beyond opinions of how good Microsoft software is, beyond TCO, and beyond the fact open source software is free (as in beer).<br /><br />Microsoft would do well to promote themselves on their technical and TCO merits, and stop with all the garbage nonsense about open source software.Johnnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801746072890507202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post-10238207883874482832009-05-31T07:39:46.435-03:002009-05-31T07:39:46.435-03:00I've realized that I'm wrong in that last comment....I've realized that I'm wrong in that last comment. In the context of the Public Service acting on behalf of the Canadian people and the values and ethics inherent in that responsibility, pretending is much worse than believing.<br /><br />I'm still pondering point 3. You have me at a disadvantage because I'm really not a Microsoft apologist and you actually took an ethics course in your undergrad if I'm not mistaken. I think my response will involve fair trade coffee and risk management, how's that for a teaser? :)Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325141101347732395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post-55468592728968189312009-05-30T18:58:44.846-03:002009-05-30T18:58:44.846-03:00Re: your first point, it's impractical or impossib...Re: your first point, it's impractical or impossible to do an unbiased apples-to-apples comparison. I do believe that open source tools can deliver business value. My problem was with people pretending (or worse, believing) that the TCO of open source on the corporate desktop is zero or near-zero.<br /><br />I don't have time right now to do number 3 justice; I'll try to respond again soon.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325141101347732395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post-67114399577537498612009-05-30T18:25:49.363-03:002009-05-30T18:25:49.363-03:00Some thoughts:
1. It's dumb to get into a "my TCO...Some thoughts:<br /><br />1. It's dumb to get into a "my TCO is less than your TCO" pissing contest. You both probably deliver excellent TCO. Microsoft makes wonderful products, no question, but they do not magically lower your TCO. <br /><br />2. As you allude to, open standards are what really matter. Let the MS shops and the Java shops and the Cobol shops do whatever they want behind the scenes, just ensure your document standards are interoperable and not tied to a specific product.<br /><br />3. Notwithstanding the wonderful products Microsoft makes, they've earned the mistrust and enmity of open source shops. I like Microsoft products and I'm going to work in a Microsoft shop this fall, but I don't excuse Microsoft's business behaviour.Johnnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801746072890507202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080077621115609830.post-55182192875172648652009-05-29T23:17:17.397-03:002009-05-29T23:17:17.397-03:00Post script.
I almost forgot. As my boss was lea...Post script.<br /><br />I almost forgot. As my boss was leaving the office this evening, he left me with this morsel of wisdom: "The fact that you're this riled up means that you're still passionate about your work." Man, I hate it when he's right.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325141101347732395noreply@blogger.com