Mass. Backs Down From Open Source Stance

MeanMF writes "eWeek reports that the state of Massachusetts has moved away from specifying that open source software be given preferential treatment over proprietary systems. Instead, they have chosen to focus on software that provides the best value and flexibility. This is a major reversal from their previous direction."

Comments

Umm

[NanoGator]

"This is a major reversal from their previous direction."

A major reversal would be if they said to avoid OSS altogether. Instead, they just made it fair to all involved. For all the benefits of OSS to be worth anything, the software has to do its job. If OSS is ready, you all have nothing to worry about. If it's not, then start coding.

Not a reversal at all

[sfjoe]

It seems more like a clarification to me:

The state's new Enterprise Open Standards Policy defines open standards as: "Specifications for systems that are publicly available and are developed by an open community and affirmed by a standards body."

While open standards aren't the same as open source, it certainly leans away from a Microsoft-style, vendor lock-in.