Re: Commercial Vendors and Open Source Software

From: David Dorman <dorman_at_nyob>
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 15:22:58 -0400
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
At 01:49 PM 09/08/2008, Jesse Ephraim wrote:
> >Please don't tar "commercial vendors" as being
> >against open source: some of us develop, distribute
> >and support open source software for libraries.
>
>Yes, some of you do.  I said "often promoted by," not "promoted by all."
>
> >And please don't perpetuate the myth that commercial support
> >is not available for open source software.
>
>That is true.
>
>When I say "commercial vendors" in this sense, I am generally talking
>about companies that create (from scratch), sell, and maintain
>proprietary ILSes, not those who are working with open source packages.

I appreciate that, but there was a disconnect between what you said 
and what you meant.  It would promote clarity to contrast "open 
source vendors" with "proprietary vendors."  We commercial open 
source vendors are still trying to convince librarians that open 
source software can be as commercial as proprietary software if it is 
distributed and supported by a commercial company.  Lots of 
librarians still don't know that.  That's why I try to promote the 
proper use of the term "commercial."

David


>Jesse Ephraim
>
>Youth Services Librarian
>Southlake Public Library
>1400 Main St., Ste. 130
>Southlake, TX  76092
>
>Email:   jephraim_at_ci.southlake.tx.us
>Phone: (817) 748-8248
>FAX:    (817) 748-8250
>www.southlakelibrary.org
>uncommonly friendly service

David Dorman
US Marketing Manager, Index Data
52 Whitman Ave.
West Hartford, Connecticut  06107
dorman_at_indexdata.com
860-389-1568 or toll free 866-489-1568
fax: 860-561-5613

INDEX DATA Means Business
for Open Source and Open Standards
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Received on Mon Sep 08 2008 - 13:51:15 EDT