I am a Linux guru (whatever that is) for a major defense contractor. And I would say this is the hardest task that I have to do everyday. Explain Open Source.
For example:
Technical- maybe I talk about lack of virus etc (at least for now). Or maybe talk about Zen or RHN. Patch management is a biggie.
Management - Talk about the cost savings. It was recently estimated that one gov't agency could save over 8M per year in maint just by switching to Linux (just maint costs, no other considerations). This usually gets some attention. $ still talks!
Sales - This is tough. But I usually bring up the annuity of Linux licenses.
But where do I talk about the VALUE of Open Source? So far, I can't find anyone in my organization that cares! I LOVE the paper idea, and some of the others discussed. But honestly, except for us, WHO CARES? Here are the arguments I get:
1. Open, not proprietary. "I don't care if the proprietary software does what I want it to. And with the proprietary software, I can exchange my documents with anyone in the world"
2. You can see (and change) the kernal. Seriously, does anyone using Linux as a production web/file/print/database server EVER change the source code?
3. Better performing (against U**x systems). "I know you are probably right, but I have these systems and if I have to replace all the servers with X86 boxes, I don't save any money"
Anyway. This is a HARD question and the oft given answers don;t seem to work. Linux is catching on in the federal gov't as it is everywhere, but unless you "get" the arguments on your own, its a tough sell.
I agree. Downloads does not equal marketshare. It is, however, a good indication of interest.
But what will it take to make OO mainstream?
Trying to convert our little group to OO at work has been problematic at best. Why? After the install (which was pretty easy, I admit), we found that MS office users couldn't read our docs. So we copied over the windows fonts and then tried again. Now most times we are OK, but there are a lot of documents created in one that are formatted incorrectly by the other.
My opinsion: The world isn't going to convert to OO at once; therefore OO must successfully coexist with MS Ofice. At least for now, that is a statement that cannot be made.
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I am a Linux guru (whatever that is) for a major defense contractor. And I would say this is the hardest task that I have to do everyday. Explain Open Source. For example: Technical- maybe I talk about lack of virus etc (at least for now). Or maybe talk about Zen or RHN. Patch management is a biggie. Management - Talk about the cost savings. It was recently estimated that one gov't agency could save over 8M per year in maint just by switching to Linux (just maint costs, no other considerations). This usually gets some attention. $ still talks! Sales - This is tough. But I usually bring up the annuity of Linux licenses. But where do I talk about the VALUE of Open Source? So far, I can't find anyone in my organization that cares! I LOVE the paper idea, and some of the others discussed. But honestly, except for us, WHO CARES? Here are the arguments I get: 1. Open, not proprietary. "I don't care if the proprietary software does what I want it to. And with the proprietary software, I can exchange my documents with anyone in the world" 2. You can see (and change) the kernal. Seriously, does anyone using Linux as a production web/file/print/database server EVER change the source code? 3. Better performing (against U**x systems). "I know you are probably right, but I have these systems and if I have to replace all the servers with X86 boxes, I don't save any money" Anyway. This is a HARD question and the oft given answers don;t seem to work. Linux is catching on in the federal gov't as it is everywhere, but unless you "get" the arguments on your own, its a tough sell.
I agree. Downloads does not equal marketshare. It is, however, a good indication of interest. But what will it take to make OO mainstream? Trying to convert our little group to OO at work has been problematic at best. Why? After the install (which was pretty easy, I admit), we found that MS office users couldn't read our docs. So we copied over the windows fonts and then tried again. Now most times we are OK, but there are a lot of documents created in one that are formatted incorrectly by the other. My opinsion: The world isn't going to convert to OO at once; therefore OO must successfully coexist with MS Ofice. At least for now, that is a statement that cannot be made.