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How Can I Contribute To Open Source?
rtobyr writes "I work for a state government agency. That means we can't donate money, because it's a 'gift of public funds.' I had the idea to put up a Web page stating that we 'use the following free software to save tax dollars,' as a way to help spread the word about open source software, but management calls this an 'endorsement.' A mirror server is a no-go as well. I'm certainly not a talented enough programmer to help with development. I've donated $10 here and there out of my own pocket, but I'm hoping you Slashdotters have some creative ideas about how my organization could give something back to the teams that create free software we benefit so much from."
You can go there and donate directly - the funds are used to buy blankets and food for already out of work engineers to develop more free software in their new found spare time... this in turn puts more engineers out of work... Its a great charity - donate today!
Oh, I understand conservatism pretty well; it's why I'm not one.
I honestly had the same reaction as TooMuch... when I read:
First, if your manager says don't put up a web page, then don't. End of discussion.
Then I saw the username and realized that her training is just going well. You shall surely make a manly dike happy one day.
So the question is what ways you could waste the taxpayer's money to support a personal crusade? I suggest that you send threatening letters to other department's managers promising something bad if they don't switch to Linux. Or you can give away office supplies to Red Hat employees. Or something along the lines that's equally immoral, but that seems to be well aligned to your way of seeing the public administration.