Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on March 18, 2003 03:17 AM
In Europe there is no destinction between Open Source and Free Software, i personally think it is more a kind of RMS-not invented here - problem. Most people use the GPL but don't care much about licensing. However, the GPL is not perfect because it cannot avoid that the ability to share code is restricted by foreign trade regulations against some states. I personally also would not like that my code was used my organisations that are involved in military research (grid computing and bio weapons) or war. However I cannot exclude this usage. With respect to a US led war against international law and the will of the security council majority this shall be considered on my agenda.
From a political perspective software it is very important. As you know some legislators plan to introduce software patent legislation, thanx to patent laywers. Therefore it is very important to talk to our representatives. In Germany Government funds some projects. I also think that public funded software shall be released under a GPL/BSD style license. The status quo is that nobody cares much about source code and open standards. That is a consulting firm sells the same tailored software to different entities of state. Every business CEO knows what pain a ERP- software lock-in means. Free Software offers a valid alternative when it will be ready to use (GNUenterprise). Open Standards are more important than open source or free software.
Many attention regarding GNU/Linux raised a public petition to use the LinuxOS in the German parliament's administration. Microsoft did some PR mistakes and its PR agancy Hunzinger AG was involved in a scandal.
Today many Government agency consider to switch. BMI funded the Aegypten project that contributed to KDE/KMail. Free Software gives them an alternative that reduces monopoly margins.
Freedom of software also means to use and run any software you like. Despite of that I believe Governmental entities should give a preference for FOSS in procurement or insist of open source licenses when projects are funded by public money.
Learn about Linux
Download Linux
Get Linux help
In Europe
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on March 18, 2003 03:17 AMFrom a political perspective software it is very important. As you know some legislators plan to introduce software patent legislation, thanx to patent laywers. Therefore it is very important to talk to our representatives. In Germany Government funds some projects. I also think that public funded software shall be released under a GPL/BSD style license. The status quo is that nobody cares much about source code and open standards. That is a consulting firm sells the same tailored software to different entities of state. Every business CEO knows what pain a ERP- software lock-in means. Free Software offers a valid alternative when it will be ready to use (GNUenterprise).
Open Standards are more important than open source or free software.
Many attention regarding GNU/Linux raised a public petition to use the LinuxOS in the German parliament's administration. Microsoft did some PR mistakes and its PR agancy Hunzinger AG was involved in a scandal.
Today many Government agency consider to switch. BMI funded the Aegypten project that contributed to KDE/KMail. Free Software gives them an alternative that reduces monopoly margins.
Freedom of software also means to use and run any software you like. Despite of that I believe Governmental entities should give a preference for FOSS in procurement or insist of open source licenses when projects are funded by public money.
#