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Opposing Open Source?

Posted by Cliff on from the listening-to-the-other-side-for-once dept.

Carl Nasal asks: "For a college class I'm taking, I have to write a research paper. I chose a topic of how open source software affects businesses, focusing on the use of Linux. While doing searches, I have actually found it hard to find opposing views of open source software. Mainly, what I'm looking for, are opinions, articles, looks, and evidence about the drawbacks of using open source software in business. They can either be online or offline, but preferably from reliable sources. (In other words, I'd rather not just have someone's homepage that loves Microsoft and hates Linux.)" The more constructive criticism we get about the drawbacks of Open Source, the better we can address and fix them.

3 of 567 comments (clear)

  1. my problem with open source software by sllort · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Microsoft has had some high ranking people repetitively and forcefully claim that open source software is unamerican.

    Salon's piece summarizes the criticism neatly.

  2. (Just kidding) by Shoten · · Score: 2, Offtopic

    In the DC area, at least, a common tactic is to contact companies or other entities in the guise of a "student" looking for information for a thesis, paper, project, or whatever. The advantage of this was that the person doing the research could gather information on behalf of their company/employer without letting on to anyone that the company they work for didn't know much about the subject.


    You don't happen to work for Microsoft, do you?

    --

    For your security, this post has been encrypted with ROT-13, twice.
  3. anything else? by Pentagon13 · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    Perhaps you would like to give us the specs to your next programming assignment too? That way, we can just send you the code.

    Actually, I'll just cross my name off my diploma and write yours in. It's not like anyone has ever asked to see mine.