[TriLUG] Linux is a monopoly???????

[Brad Oaks]

MicroSoft is free to make OpenSource products.  Noone is stopping them. 

This decision in MA is not requiring a specific vendor; it is only 
specifying one of the terms of the "deal".

--bradoaks.

Christopher L Merrill wrote:

> Michael Thompson wrote:
>
>> http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_NewsRelease_09302003b
>>
>> I'm sending them my thoughts right now...
>
>
> Despite some of the FUD statements, I don't disagree with
> the article...particularly this line:
>
>> The “Freeware Initiative” will require that all IT expenditures in 
>> 2004 and 2005 be made on an open-source/Linux format.
>
>
> Just becase the software is open-source does not make it good.  The 
> TCO is
> an important and complex determination.  In many cases, commercial 
> software
> is cheaper than 'free' software, when TCO is figured in.
>
> As an example, in the web load-testing arena (which I'm rather familiar
> with), there are very few open-source offerings...and all the ones we've
> surveyed are _severly_ lacking in features.
>
> This requirement is no different than requiring IT departments to
> buy nothing but Microsoft.  You might like it better, but it is
> equally restricting...and stupid.
>
> IT departments should be free to choose the most effective solution
> to each problem...as it arises.
>
>
> Chris (not-an-open-source-zealot) Merrill
>