[OPLINTECH] Open Office Software

Thu Jan 24 07:52:25 EST 2008

In terms of contribution, like Chad, I have never contributed
financially to any open source project; however, I do offer peer support
whenever I can which is a contribution.  Additionally, I introduce
library staff, library customers, friends, family, etc. to open source
software all the time.  In that sense, I am providing advertising for
open source software, and we all know how much money goes into ad
campaigns for proprietary products.  So I'd say, even though we haven't
contributed in the form of code or cash, we are contributing to the
success of the software.

Chauncey

Chauncey G. Montgomery, MLIS
Director/Clerk-Treasurer
Community Library
Sunbury, Ohio
740-965-3901
montgoc1 at oplin.org

Chad Neeper wrote:
> Mr. Mason, I will reply to this comment on-list since it appears that
> you may have misdirected this comment directly to me rather than to the
> list.
> 
> Many open source projects _do_ ask for donations in the form of code,
> cash to help fund a server or web site, donations to the community by
> way of peer support, documentation donations, etc. You are, however, _in
> no way_ obliged to donate to any particular project regardless of
> whether or not you use the software.
> 
> If you re-read the OpenOffice.org contribution request page
> <http://download.openoffice.org/2.3.1/contribute.html?product=OpenOffice.org&os=winwjre&lang=en-US&version=2.3.1>,
> you'll find that donating money is actually the /last/ option that they
> suggest. Personally, while I use OpenOffice extensively and while I
> encourage my schools and libraries to use it, I have not donated a
> single penny to the project, nor have I donated code or documentation.
> Aside from perhaps asking a question or two in the peer support groups,
> I have not even contributed much to the OOo peer support structures. Do
> I, as you say, "/freeload off of someone else's efforts without monetary
> assistance to them?/"  Yes. ...and..."/Shame on you if you did./"  I
> don't feel shame about that.
> 
> I do, however, embrace the concept of open source software. Because I am
> of limited financial means (as are many of the public libraries on this
> list), because my time is highly constrained, because the programming
> languages I know are far obsolete, because I donate a considerable
> amount of time and technical services to public libraries and schools (a
> direct impact on my "free" time), and because I'm not a good web
> developer I don't offer money, code, or web development to any open
> source project. I am, however, very good at understanding the nuances
> and interactions of the software I use, troubleshooting problems and
> assisting others. My contributions are in the form of peer support.
> Further, I also acknowledge that I am incapable of usefully contributing
> to every project that represents all of the open source software that I
> use. I don't contribute to the OpenOffice project because it is already
> amazingly well supported. I instead choose to focus my energies on
> projects that are less well supported. This is the concept and beauty of
> open source software!
> 
> So...I am very happy to know that you would feel obligated to donate to
> "the cause." Every bit helps, money and otherwise!
> 
> Out of curiosity, though, have any other libraries reading this thread
> contributed to an open source project? If so, in what way?
> 
> As for the cost benefit analysis, I would guess that this is best
> accomplished on your own and for individual scenarios. Every situation
> is unique, with unique parameters. Considering the wide number of
> parameters, such an analysis done for another organization would likely
> not align properly with yours or your clients'. Take, for instance, some
> of the later comments regarding training. Mr. Slone suggests that "the
> learning curve is so negligible, it shouldn't even be a factor in a
> decision regarding MS and OO." But that's at /his/ library. It could be
> a huge factor elsewhere.
> 
> My 2 cents,
> Chad
> 
> -----------------------
> Chad Neeper
> Senior Systems Engineer
> 
> Level 9 Networks
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
> 
> --   Full LAN/WAN consulting services   --
> -- Specialized in libraries and schools --
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Mason wrote:
>>
>> I’ll just note that when I downloaded my “free” OO, I was asked to
>> “donate” to the cost of writing, improving, supporting, and
>> distribution of OO.  Since we were simply evaluating it with no plan
>> to integrate and use it at the moment, we didn’t donate anything.  If
>> we were to evaluate it successfully, and roll it out to our employees,
>> I would feel obligated to “donate” to the cause in the interests of
>> fairness since we were benefiting from their labor.  Who knows, we may
>> want them to upgrade to support the docx formats of 2007. 
>>
>>  
>>
>> I’m wondering what some of you “donated” to OO’s development request
>> since you are actively using it for the benefit of your library,
>> facility or business.  Did you figure the “donation” cost into the
>> cost/benefit analysis, do you amortize it as you would the price you
>> paid to MS, or do you write it off as a charity contribution?  Or did
>> you figure you’d freeload off of someone else’s efforts without
>> monetary assistance to them?   Shame on you if you did.
>>
>>  
>>
>> I still have not seen a cost benefit analysis of “open source”, which
>> I don’t think literally or fairly translates to “free software”.
>>
>>  
>>
>> *Thomas Mason*, MCSE, AANG, Sr. Consultant
>>
>> *Management Assistance, Inc.*
>>
>> *Manufacturing, Academic and Government Solutions***
>>
>> /"We make it happen for you!"///
>>
>> masontj at manasst.com <mailto:masontj at manasst.com> 440.355.6962
>> Fax:440-355-4355
>>
>>
> 
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