[ILUG] Director Of Consumer Affairs? O.S.S. Debate

[Justin Mason]

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Enda writes:
> Propose linux, and the "lack of warranties" associated with it, and they
> have to analyse the risk and conclude that should it fail, we dump it, and
> implement MS. Which in theory, has to be more expensive than running with an
> MS solution from day one, therefore MS offers better value for money,
> because the "don't work" scenario will be underwritted by MS.

OK, I'm confused.

Given the way you suggest 'should it fail, we dump it, and implement MS.
Which in theory, has to be more expensive than running with an MS solution
from day one' -- do they do similar analyses when buying proprietary
solutions, to include the cost of switching from *that* platform, should
it fail?

Because I know of a few (non-public-sector) projects that had to make
*that* switch at great expense, and I don't think "warranties" mattered a
damn. In at least one, there was a massive court case instead, which was
costly to all parties involved.

I suppose I don't see a whole lot of difference in that regard -- except
in the open-source case, at least you've got the source code and the
legal right to fix it yourself.

- --j.

> That makes it hard for linux to replace MS in public procurement issues.
> Linux will get in of coure in small budget projects who's spend falls below
> the public procurement threshold for analysis, which is why the companies
> registration office uses it for example.
> 
> The director of consumer affaird will have to follow "public procurement
> guidelines" to achieve "value for money in the public service", and under
> those guidelines, which aren't flawed, linux fails.
> 
> Its a case of asking paid consultants to adopt a "wing and a prayer"
> approach through using "unwarranted" software. If its not a "wing and a
> prayer" approach, then why don't the vendors offer warranties on what they
> sell?
> 
>  -Enda.
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