[Opensource] FOSS - different arguments

[Cameron Bell]

Bugger 24 hours too late.
I was having a "robust discussion" ;)  in the staff room yesterday and  
was told by those "in the know" that big business still use MS Office  
and *always will*.
It all stemmed from a remark by a teacher who was sick of not being  
able to open docx, etc  files that students were now submitting. I  
mentioned that about 2 years ago I told the staff that this was going  
to happen and that we could avoid a lot of hassles by moving to, and  
recommend using OO. I am loathe to mandate software usage,( I don't  
believe I can tell people to use "package X" if I expect the freedom  
to be able to use whatever I am most comfortable with), and merely  
suggested that it would be a wise move. Well now I am being criticized  
for not telling people they must use Open Office!
I am also copping grief from people for "not recommending strongly  
enough" that they should have chosen Macbooks over the Lenovo's with  
Vista, sheeesh.
I think I am going to put in place a policy of "I don't care what  
Application you use, as long as the files it produces are: odt, pdf,  
jpg,  <insert lots of open file formats>"
Specifying acceptable file types rather than acceptable Applications  
may be a better way to go. People can choose the app they are most  
comfortable with, although some apps are better than others for  
certain file types. ;)
Cheers
Cameron


On 03/12/2008, at 9:22 AM, Donna Benjamin wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> For those of you finding ways to justify looking at open source - this
> article might be of interest.
>
> http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081130_069698.htm
>
> Cost-Conscious Companies Turn to Open-Source Software
> As the recession puts pressure on tech spending, many companies are
> turning to open-source software to handle more IT tasks.
>
> cheers
> Donna
>
> -- 
> Donna Benjamin - Executive Director
> Creative Contingencies - http://cc.com.au
> ph +61 3 9326 9985 - mob +61 418 310 414
> open source - facilitation - web services
>
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