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Open Source in Oregon

Posted by michael on from the smoke-filled-room dept.

Anonymous writes "MWVLUG's coordinator, Cooper Stevenson, has asked Linux Today to post this detailed history of events surrounding the battle to get open source software legislation enacted in the Beaver State in an effort to raise public awareness for the campaign."

4 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. A day in the life of by The+Tyro · · Score: 3, Interesting

    a citizen lobbyist.

    Interesting to see an amateur go up against a fleet of paid pros (BSA, MS, et al). It would be nice to see it work. You know, that whole account appeals to my root-for-the-underdog, iconoclastic, giant-killer streak.

    Just to pick a medical nit, however, he did misspell his medication... it's Vicodin, not "Vicaden" (changing a letter or two in a medication name could cause a medication error).

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:A day in the life of by Phroggy · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Just to pick a medical nit, however, he did misspell his medication... it's Vicodin, not "Vicaden" (changing a letter or two in a medication name could cause a medication error).

      He made a lot of other typos as well. Most confusing error was about halfway through:
      As I approached Sen. Atkinson's office I called to him, "Senator Atkinson," I said, "would you at least consider this legislation?"

      "I'll tell you what I'll do," he said, "if Senator Atkinson says it's okay, then it's okay with me--he's the tech guy.'"
      I'm pretty sure that should be:
      As I approached Sen. Beyer's office I called to him, "Senator Beyer," I said, "would you at least consider this legislation?"

      "I'll tell you what I'll do," he said, "if Senator Atkinson says it's okay, then it's okay with me--he's the tech guy."
      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
  2. I can support that argument by OMG · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Remember that Munich (Germany, Oktoberfest, remember ?) decided to migrate 15,000 desktops to Linux? That decision was mainly based on the strategic argument that open source software would help local consultants and IT vendors better than MS software would.

    The argument that open source software creates jobs for smaller entities instead of spending money on software from big companies located somewhere is a strong argument if you talk to politicians.

    1. Re:I can support that argument by dnoyeb · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Of course, but more obviously I assume Germany went with Suse, a German company. And replaced Microsoft, an American company.