[PLUG] HB2892 Made The Oregonian

[Brian Beattie]

On Fri, 2003-04-04 at 10:56, Steven A. Adams wrote:
> On Fri, 2003-04-04 at 10:32, Brian Beattie wrote:
> 
> > hmmm, maybe I'm blind, but I don't see how the bill in it's original
> > form requires, or encourages the rewrite of any software currently in
> > use.  It addresses _future_ purchases.
> > 
> > I am concerned that the bill will get watered down too much.  I think
> > that FOSS needs a powerful salesman, just like all the other solutions. 
> > The other solutions have the cost of selling bundled into the price of
> > the software.  FOSS does not, I think it is appropriate for the public
> > by it's proxy the government to level the playing field by acting as a
> > salesforce for FOSS.
> > 
> > > 
> > > -- 
> > > Steven A. Adams <stevea at nwtechops.com>
> > > 
> > > 
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > PLUG mailing list
> > > PLUG at lists.pdxlinux.org
> > > http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
> 
> At first glance, Section 1, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph d and e seem to
> be fair mandates - I believe they are. Unfortunately it puts the state
> in a situation where there will be no additional purchases of MS
> platforms. This will force all of the applications that have been
> developed in that environment to be rewritten to open standards. There
> are many ( MANY ) applications in the states inventory that rely in MS
> front, middle and back-end platforms that will require rewrite in order
> to comply with this language.
> 
> Here's the excerpt:
> 
>   (d) Avoid the acquisition of products that do not comply with
> open standards for interoperability or data storage; and
>   (e) Avoid the acquisition of products that are known to make
> unauthorized transfers of information to, or permit unauthorized
> control of or modification to state government's computer systems
> by, parties outside the control of state government. + }
>  
> 
> The effect on MS is not the only issue here. What about the huge volume
> of CICS, TSO, MVS and like mainframe apps that we all rely on? The
> impact there is more than money, it comes down to the fact that no
> company has been successful at recreating mainframe apps in a
> client/server environment and been able to sustain the requirements.
> 
> There you have it!
> 

I disagree, the cost of converting software is a reason to buy
proprietary software.  The law does not require the use of FOSS, just
that it be considered and the be a reason for not using FOSS.

> -- 
> Steven A. Adams <stevea at nwtechops.com>
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> PLUG mailing list
> PLUG at lists.pdxlinux.org
> http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
-- 
Brian Beattie            | Experienced kernel hacker/embedded systems
beattie at beattie-home.net | programmer, direct or contract, short or
www.beattie-home.net     | long term, available immediately.

"Honor isn't about making the right choices.
It's about dealing with the consequences." -- Midori Koto