responses after each para
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mohammed Awkati
Sent: 10 August 2007 14:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open Source LMSs
Open source is definitly not about small teams doing the work and then
saying this is the standard. In fact it is quite the opposite. The work
of a small team is offered to the community to improve and share the
rersults with everyone else. This is the GNU licence agreement.
I think we understand this, but we need to see it in practical terms
within the local authority?
Opensource does not necessarily mean free, what it means is that the
code behind the software is available for you to see and improve/adapt
to your needs but whatever you do must be made available to the rest of
the community to benefit from. Do we really want to be locked-in by one
vendor who decide the price and how things should be done even when you
get inferior services??
Of course we don't, no advantage to that at all, and is where so many
problems lie, but you do need the in house expertise to work with Open
Source now, and the time to scour for the best or better solutions etc.
It is a nerdy sort of thing!(and most librarians are not)
Linux is inherently more stable and secure. The different distributions
of Linux are made to meet differing needs and it thus offers choice and
flexiblity. The fastest computer in the world (IBM's Blue Gene) is run
on Linux!
But it didn't used to be?
Mo Awkati
Performance and Management Information Team Manager Directorate of
Adult, Community, and Housing Services Dudley MBC Ednam House St James's
Road Dudley
DY1 3JJ
Tel: 01384 815824
(these views do not reflect the council's views or policies)
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Keith
Patterson/CEXEC/STHMBC
Sent: 10 August 2007 14:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open Source LMSs
John Usher wrote:
"Now we're all moving to Microsoft or Linux - but which 'Linux
distribution'? Dell recently said it would love to ship Linux PC's, but
will someone please tell it which 'flavour' to standardise upon? It gave
up on an earleir attempt for this reason - One version of Microsoft OS
at a time is hard enough to support, but multiple Linux distributions!"
Dell have recently announced they are selling PCs in the UK with Ubuntu
Linux pre-installed - I actually managed to find one for sale on their
website last night. They've been doing this for a few weeks in the US.
This might be the break-through required for widespread Linux take-up
by the general public.
Keith Patterson
Branch Network Manager
Branch Network Team
Chester Lane Library
Four Acre Lane
St Helens WA9 4DE
tel: (01744) 677448
fax: (01744) 677082
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