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| Subject: | Re: GISList: OSS really ? |
| Date: |
01/07/2003 11:20:56 AM |
| From: |
Dave McIlhagga |
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Anthony,
Much has been written on this in many areas, and I don't want to create
yet another discussion, but there were a few points that I do feel a
need to respond to.
Anthony Quartararo wrote:
> "discovery" of something new. What you describe as OSS appears chaotic,
> random, and not something many smart businesses will bank their existence
> on.
In fact OSS development is not necessarily chaotic or random - some of
the most successful OSS projects have highly intricate software
development processes and structures. Have a look at the Apache, PHP,
Mozilla, or OpenOffice projects to name a few. These are highly
structured teams that have implemented very robust software development
methodologies to ensure high quality products are developed.
As for why smart businesses will sometimes get involved in OSS -
remember the IT business isn't all about software license sales. There
are MANY more ways to make money then just through licenses. AOL wanted
to reduce their dependence on Microsoft Internet Explorer so they formed
the Mozilla project to create an Open Source browser. Because of this
decision, Netscape (based on Mozilla) is 10 times the product it used to
be and will soon (if not already) replace IE as the base for the AOL
Browser millions around the world will be using. AOL can now much
better manage their user's experience instead of on their arch-rival
Microsoft. A savy business decision if you ask me.
Sun Microsystems recognized that Star Office in it's original
incarnation wasn't going anywhere so what happened? They released the
source code, and setup an OSS project to create OpenOffice from which a
future StarOffice would be based. The result, for a version 1.0
software, OpenOffice has made terrific strides in providing equivalent
technology to Microsoft Office. Recently, Sony Europe signed a deal
with Sun to make StarOffice the office suite on most computers to be
sold in Europe. Why? Because with ever shrinking hardware prices,
Software is consuming a great portion of a computer's price tag and $59
vs. $600 is a big difference. A brave, but seemingly succesful move on
the part of Sun. True, only the future will really tell -- but the fact
that Microsoft itself admittedly considers Open Source it's greatest
threat speaks volumes.
> In OSS, there is little if any "control" over versioning of applications
> (maybe so in the actual source code) but who is willing to implement a
> system that costs more than their paycheck without some real reassurance
> that the next version will not completely mangle everything? We're not just
> talking about stand-alone, silo-based systems, this is enterprise or even
> internet-based systems. Who's going to ensure backwards and forwards
> compatibility? To leave this to the whims of an unorganized collection of
> hobbyists pretending to be software experts and product developers is an
> expensive distraction and inefficient use of resources IMHO.
I take great exception to this. Do you consider the developers of the
products mentioned above to be simply "hobbyists pretending to be
software experts"? Have you ever had a close look at the organization
of these projects, the people involved, and the methodologies that are
used? How many security breaches have you heard about over the past few
years in Apache vs. IIS?? yet 63% of all websites worldwide run Apache.
Perhaps 5-10 years ago you would have a point, but today, Open Source
projects are clearly producing quality software.
> Linux has been around for a long time, a lot longer than the dot-com
> boom-bust cycle that even made it a possibility to dream about the open
> source "revolution". So where is it ? What major organization has
> completely gone "Windows-free" (not even GIS organizations or users, but
> anyone?) The reasons why not are too numerous to articulate here.
If you're interested in a couple of interesting starting points, take a
look here:
http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/print/0,1643,44531,FF.html
Remember how long it has taken Windows to become what it is today ...
DOS wasn't invented 5 years ago. We have very short-term expectations,
but changes of this magnitude don't happen in a couple of years -- they
happen over a decade+ and then some.
> "OSS" is great fodder for MS/PhD programs, but I hope it stays in that
> domain.
Anyone who is not strictly a software vendor has a lot to gain from the
advance of OSS. 25% of back-office servers now run Linux, do you think
all of these organizations regret having made this decision? Perhaps
the 63% of websites that run Apache represent a dismal failure? Do you
think those who are using this technology are frustrated that Open
source exists? I suspect the answer wou
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