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Is Open Source Different In Europe Than In the US?
An anonymous reader writes "The first Europe Open Source Think Tank just concluded and Larry Augustin posted some interesting observations on open source in Europe versus the US. Essentially, he says that users in Europe care more about the open source nature of a product than do US users. US users are just trying to save a buck while European users actually care about access to the source code. Do Slashdot readers observe the same thing? Are the reasons for using open source software different in other parts of the world as well?"
>> Are the reasons for using open source software different in other parts of the world as well?
In Soviet Russia open source software uses you.
I know, I know.. Mod me down now. Thank you.
- Arwen, I'm your father, Agent Smith.
- Well, you're just Smith, but my father is Aerosmith!
In Europe, OSS is metric
Also, Europeans are drinking delicious beer and have cooler cell phones. I always hunt these guys out and drink with them. Of course, I have a blackberry from ancient times and they all get a laugh at my expense. Good times.
Technology Consulting & Free Downloads
C'mon.
American -- GNU Hurd
European -- Linux.
Any questions?
Well... one could argue that that is precisely the mark of stupidity ;)
Please find your CD jacket, turn it upside down, light a candle, and read the reflection of the antipiracy sticker in the mirror. This is your 50 digit registration code. Once you enter your registration code the software will use your modem to dial 1-900-act-ive1 to activate your software. If you do not have a modem please write down the code on a 3x5 piece of paper and include a self addressed stamped envelope and we will send you a second registration code that you will enter before calling 1-900-act-ive2 to speak with a live representitive that does not speak your native language that will give you your activation code.
Once activation is complete every time you start the software it will connect to our server that is online most of the time to verify your access. This process is very quick due to our server's high speed 56k modem. Also, periodically while you are using the software it will take a screenshot and send it to the server for a specialist to determine if you are using the software in accordance with the EULA. This is to ensure the highest quality service support.
The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
I guess you were relieved when gravity was verified on both sides of the Atlantic...
I like to think of myself as someone who cares a lot for Open Source.
Then again, I like to think of myself as someone who likes to distance himself from the masses.
This article discomforts me.
Do not trust this signature.
... as in beer.
Copyright infringement is "piracy" in the same way DRM is "consumer rape"
I would understand why Europeans are more concerned about vendor lock-in. They don't want to be held by the balls by a foreign company.
...and some people have a problem with understanding what a generalization is..
generalization (noun)
A substitution for understanding, itself generally wrong in a sort of recursive intentional ignorance which leads to the production of millions upon millions of bumper stickers.
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It will really depend on the nature of your clients, regardless of the country...
As an example: we're a -medium- (not large) size retail company here... Licensing cost is so freagin insignificant to us, we don't even -consider- it when picking a product (unless its something huge, like 200k a year for a single server license, like some enterprise solutions can be).
When we open a store, you need the building (in downtown that can be millions), the licenses for the POS services (not even the software, just the deal with the banks), the custom development (need an army of admins and project managers to do it), etc.
Then when we throw on the balance "Oh, and the guy in the backstore needs Office", you're talking a 1 to 20 million dollar project, and you're tossing an extra license on our volume licensing agreement...its going to end up something like 60$. It gets lost in the round, and would even if instead of Office, it was 3D studio max or whatever. We do .NET development, and recently we asked for extra MSDN licenses, which, for our needs, are about 1400$ or something like that (MSDN Pro with Visual Studio Pro). The first thing the guy handling the budget said was "Oh, why don't you want the full Team Suite? Its only a bit over 10 grands per license, and you only need 10".
Because really, compared to the cost of other things, and the salary we need to pay for our employees, a company with a few thousand employees is spitting millions left and right to begin with. So you'll really go for whatever solution either fits your needs best, or makes your employees happiest and comfy (because you don't want them stressed out, or quitting, requiring more training, etc, because that costs a heck of a lot more).
In opposition, if you have, let say, a small real estate investment firm right now... every CAL of Exchange and license of Windows stings. They'll have a totally different vision.
Where the hell is "Redmond, Seattle"?
Good. Cheap. Fast. Pick Two.
No, come on, you didn't. Not the first time around anyway. However it would have looked better to get it wrong first and right later than the other way around.
Victims of 9/11: <3000. Traffic in the US: >30,000/y
What the hell is OpenSQL? Is it a fork of MySQL or PostgreSQL? And surely by "real SQL" you don't mean MS's pitiful SQL Server?
Hey now, ease up on SQL Server. I'd use it over MySQL any day of the week.
Granted, I prefer PostgreSQL over SQL Server, and would also consider Firebird or Ingres if Postgres wasn't around..
Redmond is a suburb of Washington in the state of Seattle. Or something like that, I don't really know because I'm from Soviet Russia.
In America we call that Lazy, Elitists, who do not contribute positive to the overall society.
In Europe we call that bad punctuation.