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How To 'Sell' Open Source Software
An anonymous reader writes "Have we missed the boat in terms of selling Linux to the average Joe? The writer of this article at NewsForge certainly thinks so. He points out that most people don't yet get the idea of a free operating system, and that the best way to start winning them over is to provide free software for Windows, such as OpenOffice.org." This sentiment isn't new, but unlike a lot of commentators, the writer in this case is in a good place (as a retailer who's tried selling Linux-equipped systems) to observe the man-on-the-street reaction to Free operating systems as of 2003.
I have a weird case - a project for a local government agency is being stonewalled by the 'official' IT department/subcontractors who want to control all software used anywhere in the govt. I'm told we can get around thier clutches (I'll leave the reasons why out for now) by buying some software we can use for internal operations, then, once that's in the door, we can try to get the software exposed to the internet so our 'customers' can use it as well. But I have to buy it. If I develop it (using open source) then the whole thing falls apart. Must be bought.
It's a Content Management project, so I'm hoping to pick an open source solution and offer the developers some cash if they give us a bill of sale.
Silly reason, but it's one that I've come across for why you might have to buy free software. Buy=product. Free software = custom development. We can buy products but we aren't alowed to develop solutions. Go figure.
closed minded is as closed minded does