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Oregon's Open Source Bill Stalled by Microsoft

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the two-can-play-at-that-game dept.

Wanker writes "Previously on Slashdot we read about an Oregon bill that would require government agencies to consider Open Source software in addition to whichever software they would normally consider. Unfortunately, House Bill 2892 is getting stalled by "stiff opposition" from such unsurprising places as Microsoft. All you Oregon Slashdotters, it's time to call or write your representatives."

3 of 240 comments (clear)

  1. The Clippy Clause by unsinged+int · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Maybe if they add a line that says they must ask Clippy's opinion on all new software purchases then Microsoft will stop blocking the bill.

  2. Re:I'm confused by InsaneGeek · · Score: 1, Redundant


    No you are incorrect. OSS does not mean it doesn't cost anything, it doesn't mean that you aren't putting out commercial software, it means you have additional rights.

    Check out http://www.fsf.org/gnu/thegnuproject.html the granddady of the "movement" (hate the word movement but can't think of anything better) RMS even says it.

    The term "free software" is sometimes misunderstood--it has nothing to do with price. It is about freedom.
    Since "free" refers to freedom, not to price, there is no contradiction between selling copies and free software. In fact, the freedom to sell copies is crucial:...

    There are lots of no-cost non-OSS software out there, goto your favorite utility website and download something. Winamp is a perfect example of this, it's free to download, install and use; doesn't cost a dime, is it OSS no, among other things against it where's the source?

    Again no-cost != OSS, if it did the bill would say that they are foced to look at no-cost software instead of OSS.

  3. Forcing open source... by cliffy2000 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Is like fucking for chastity. (or fighting for peace, if that's your bag.)