[OPLINTECH] public software foundation

[Ed Liddle]

On Thu, 2008-05-29 at 13:08 -0400, Mann, James H. wrote:
> My two cents.
> I don't think a library needs to circulate open source software CDs.
> They are too easy to download or purchase and you'll never get the
> distro right or up to date.
> But I will suggest that an important role for libraries is to have a
> good collection of Open Source user manuals since this is where the
> Open Source convert will go wrong most often.
> Not that it is statistically relevant but I currently have 10 normal
> folk using a Ubuntu computer that they will get to keep after 6 months
> if they seriously switch from Windows. Only a couple of these users,
> now in the second month of the project, have used a book as a help
> tool. Most are using Google to get to howtoforge or the Ubuntu project
> website. I don't know what it means  but it seems to be saying that
> even a normal person using open source for the first time will
> gravitate to the web and these users are all in their fifties or
> sixties and two have dial up and the rest some sort of broadband.
> Anyway here's an entry to our catalog so you can critique our
> collection.

I personally find that popular open source applications seem to evolve
at a faster rate than the time it takes for authors and publishers to
produce manuals and have them in the market place. Information found
online about opensource software is often more up to date than what can
be found in published book format. One advantage of the public software
foundation are the support resources provided on their website that
point to the "offical" support site of the software as well as give
information about system requirements.  
I often find myself using a couple of linux command line books to
reference and recall checking out many a book on open source software
from my local library. 

Jim, what project are the "10 normal folk" in? I am a little curious
about it and what the final outcome will be.  

-- 
-Ed Liddle
 
Technology Assistant

Marysville Public library
231 S. Plum Street,
Marysville, OH  43040

      * Phone: 937-642-1876 ext.45
      * Fax: 937-642-3457