Slashdot Mirror
Get Listed Free In Gov't Open Source Directory
BanJoota writes "Probably most useful for U.S. people, but sounds like a good deal. The story (at Newsforge) says you can list your Open Source business, non-profit group or Open Source project or whatever for free in a 'Who's Who and Who's Doing What in Open Source' book that's being distributed to government agencies on March 15. The deadline's March 1, so better act fast." Newsforge and Slashdot are both part of OSDN. Remember to keep your write-up suitable for pointy-headed managers...
This is interresting for several reasons beyond the obvious; The government is now making information available about open source, which means they know it exists. This information will also get reviewed by government agencies and could possibly lead to more open source adoption by government agencies, which would encourage more people in the population to be exposed to OSS. This also gives some air of credibility to open source, possibly the kind that suits will catch on to it and adopt OSS more.
I remember this story from almost a year ago, I tried to get involved a number of times but never got a response. Here's the 10 month old announcement: http://lwn.net/Articles/29364/.
... is something fishy going on with this book? (lack of complete disclosure is irritating) Someone might need to see a 2x4.
Now it surfaces again out of the blue
Please help publicise swpat.org - the software patents wiki
I wonder how widespread this guide will be. Just a note, the folks who are putting this out are a private group and not the US government itself.
;)
The National Labs already use a lot of open source software, so it would be great to see more inclusion in other government sectors, maybe saving some tax $$. (Or it will cost more, you can never say
"Sed Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?" -Juvenal
"... for use by government IT officials and others looking to incorporate Open Source solutions into their enterprise."
"Listing in the Reference Book is free, and the book will be distributed at no charge to registered attendees of the Conference."
I guess you have to attend.
Photo Aspect -- an open, free, J2EE & JBoss photoalbu
That's not true. Read my other post attached to this Slashdot posting to learn more.
There needs to be a list so that there's an instant point of contact for quality assurance purposes.
If a software project that the government is interested in can routinely keep the dialogue with the government open, then the government can more appropriately and usefully utilize these Open Source software tools for their purposes.
It's a win/win situation, really. If you think the government has any "evil" plans, think again. This is the best for all of us.
Background: 28/M/Bi-Sexual; Owner of a Linux company; MBA Harvard 2003; B.S. Comp Sci MIT 2000
Are you sure you want to be listed in a directory like this? Who knows what SCO could do with such as list.
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IMHO, of course.
May the SOURCE be with you.
... I would submit:
Software name: nmap
Section: terrorist tools
Purpose: Enables evildoers to do evil (and OS detection).
With all ya read about how the government is subverting science etc. It's nice to see that the governmnent is promoting open source which will allow it's citizens to get access to the best/cheapest/open technology rather than promoting what the corprate overlords suggest.
It's also interesting to note that(unlike some other governments) this isn't exactly an endorsement of use for OSS software, but rather a flag telling agencies that it's ok to go ahead with OSS projects you planned, and here are some resources OSS.
It would be interesting though for the government to fund more OSS projects who have a significant amount of dedicated US citizen contributors, but with the deficits and tax cuts, it's probably a pipe dream.
Oh well, a step in the right direction anyway.
Sometimes some of my biggest battles in adopting OSS in the gov't/DoD are convincing my fellow engineers. These are old school engineer types who are very scared of change. Even if it sounds reasonable, there better be a damn good reason to change to something new, especially something as "untested" as OSS.
> Remember to keep your write-up suitable for pointy-headed managers...
Did Beldar quit his TV repair gig and move up the ranks at Dilbert Co.?
Last I heard, open source "threatens capitalism". Are we adding ourselves to a black-list?
C'mon, if any of the "free software" communist bloc are "Red agitators", it must be the Mozilla devs.
The start by adopting a red five-point star as their icon, and then they release a latest and greatest which is named after a Soviet fighter plane (firefox)?
Please help publicise swpat.org - the software patents wiki
Posting it 2 hours before the deadline... way to get listed.
From http://www.egovos.org/about...
The Center of Open Source & Government works with governments around the world on Open Source policy and strategy.
Information wants to be free.
Entertainment wants to be paid.
You just want to be cheap.
Story Posted On:
:P
Sunday February 29, @09:54PM
Dealine:
March 1st
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Slashdot, your source for timely news.
And for all you people who only read slashdot at work.... neener neener neener....
www.slightlycrewed.com - Because aren't we all?
Fuck that, the Government can RTFM like the rest of us have to.
Seriously!
Daryl McBride stands up with a copy of the book in his hand in front of the conference:
"As you can see, this is a list of projects that have illegally stolen SCO code and are currently using it to invite terrorism into the US."
Slashdot sucks
The submission deadline is March 1st...yet the government is going to be distributing these books on March 15th? Of the same year? Can they be that efficient?