[OPLINTECH] Open Office Software

Thu Jan 24 12:48:41 EST 2008

Chad,

Thank you.  I did indeed mean to post it directly to the list.  It was not meant to be a personal attack of any sort as your post seems to be.

 I doubt if many do “donate” to the OSF groups that ask.  I’m simply suggesting that “free” is not without some cost that is paid by someone and should be acknowledged.  Those of us that are advocating the use of open source software and/or using it, should support it if they believe in it as a current and long term solution.  It is not free.  It is Open Source.

Libraries in Ohio are not poor as compared to other states.  Many receive grants and donations in addition to state funds which I know are going down.  If your institution budgets costs, then there is surely a cost/benefit analysis for any expenditure.  Budget in some funds for a donation in the same amount you would have provided for a MS purchase instead of freeloading so that those that truly can’t afford it can enjoy the Open Source software for free. 

Being a business consultant, we would suggest a cost/benefit analysis should be done, especially when funds are declining.  I have not seen anyone’s analysis that truly considered the costs with everything considered, including support, library chartered goals and public interest, that came out positively in favor of Open Source.  I’d just like to see someone’s real life analysis.  All of this talk of “free” makes some of us look like we saved a ton of money to buy books instead of MS Software.  Did we really?

Thomas Mason, MCSE, AANG, Sr. Consultant

Management Assistance, Inc.

Manufacturing, Academic and Government Solutions

"We make it happen for you!"

masontj at manasst.com 440.355.6962 Fax:440-355-4355

From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:02 AM
To: oplintech at oplin.org
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Open Office Software

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 <http://download.openoffice.org/2.3.1/contribute.html?product=OpenOffice.org&os=winwjre&lang=en-US&version=2.3.1>  request page, 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 440.355.6962 Fax:440-355-4355

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