Comments on: Free software advocacy for the VCS http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/ Free web hosting for UK charities and non-profit organisations Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:46:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Phil Thompson http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1542 Phil Thompson Wed, 30 May 2007 11:08:50 +0000 http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1542 There is also the issue of awareness of vendors beyond the one who provided the desktop operating system. A recent discussion about collaboration focussed on Microsoft Groove (a virtually unknown product) and completely failed to mention Lotus Notes - one of the most widespread collaboration products. Notes also costs less than half what Groove costs for a retail desktop licence. One circuit rider list contributor said he "offer solutions based on your qualifications and experience", I wonder if the "needs of the client" sometimes go missing. Is the VCS being offered the choice of the full range of proprietary and open source solutions ? There is also the issue of awareness of vendors beyond the one who provided the desktop operating system. A recent discussion about collaboration focussed on Microsoft Groove (a virtually unknown product) and completely failed to mention Lotus Notes - one of the most widespread collaboration products. Notes also costs less than half what Groove costs for a retail desktop licence.

One circuit rider list contributor said he “offer solutions based on your qualifications and experience”, I wonder if the “needs of the client” sometimes go missing.

Is the VCS being offered the choice of the full range of proprietary and open source solutions ?

]]> By: Richard Thompson http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1530 Richard Thompson Tue, 29 May 2007 20:38:02 +0000 http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1530 Spot on, there are a few points here that have made me think about my own actions; this is advice I will definatley be taking. Spot on, there are a few points here that have made me think about my own actions; this is advice I will definatley be taking.

]]> By: Jae Campbell http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1529 Jae Campbell Tue, 29 May 2007 18:41:28 +0000 http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1529 Excellent - a well thought out and mature response that could lead to people using at least some Open Source for all the right reasons. Most so called 'Microsoft Advocates' are happy to look at Open Source as at least a partual solution but see no adventage to themselves or their clients in limiting their choices purely because someone else declares it to be an 'ethical' choice... Excellent - a well thought out and mature response that could lead to people using at least some Open Source for all the right reasons.

Most so called ‘Microsoft Advocates’ are happy to look at Open Source as at least a partual solution but see no adventage to themselves or their clients in limiting their choices purely because someone else declares it to be an ‘ethical’ choice…

]]> By: jOHN rOSE http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1528 jOHN rOSE Tue, 29 May 2007 16:45:35 +0000 http://www.freecharity.org.uk/2007/05/29/free-software-advocacy-for-the-vcs/#comment-1528 Very reasoned and reasonable, James. The one thing that puts me off using Open Office rather than Office is that I've 'developed' some stuff in Excel using VBA and they don't work on Open Office. (OK, I can't be sked to transalate them....) Also, not sure if things like the Morefunc and ASAP Utilities add-ins (both of which I use) work in Open Office. So honesty requires that folk advocating OO first check that stuff the organisation already has is compatible, or can be made to be compatible. I don't do databases but there may be an issue with Access, too. You're right: organisations use software to do jobs and achieve outcomes, not to be racist about Redmond. Very reasoned and reasonable, James.
The one thing that puts me off using Open Office rather than Office is that I’ve ‘developed’ some stuff in Excel using VBA and they don’t work on Open Office. (OK, I can’t be sked to transalate them….)
Also, not sure if things like the Morefunc and ASAP Utilities add-ins (both of which I use) work in Open Office.
So honesty requires that folk advocating OO first check that stuff the organisation already has is compatible, or can be made to be compatible.
I don’t do databases but there may be an issue with Access, too.
You’re right: organisations use software to do jobs and achieve outcomes, not to be racist about Redmond.

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