How Would You Argue for Open Source?

Nate asks: "I am currently working for an international corporation, and the site I am working at was (until very recently) entirely run on Windows. We recently purchased a Solaris server, and I am in charge of setting it up and resetting the global UNIX standard. The problem is that management doesn't want to install software that does not have 24 hour, worldwide support available along with it, yet they want the capabilities that only open source software can provide on a UNIX platform (VNC, OpenSSH, etc..) without spending insane amounts of money. I was wondering how the Slashdot community deals with convincing management that Open Source software is safe to use when creating a global standard, and what your solutions have been to supporting users working with open source software." Two years ago, Slashdot tackled the Enterprise Support question. Now, say you had that particular problem solved and the only thing left is that all-important pitch to Upper Management. What arguments would you use in your attempts to get their approval? What statistics and references would you point to, in order to back everything up?

Comments

Re:Closed Source Track record

[sheldon]

What's amazing is that not one of the claims made in this parent post has any factual evidence to substantiate them.

I love this...

"This article addresses what many people consider to be open source's weekpoint. It is however it's strongest point."

This could have been written by the Iraqi Minister of Information...

Welcome to FUD 101, I guess.

Re:"professional" language == "lame" | "non-tech"

[Anonymous Coward]

I never said anything about the communication method one should use when addressing your boss. I merely said that appropriate language should be used. Of course, I am an educated person who believes phrases like "bent over" reflect a certain baseness. If you want to be viewed that way, fine. Continually using the word "dumb" shows that your education is quite lacking and you should consider going back to school - although, based on your manner of speech, I would guess that you are in high school and have no idea what you're talking about.