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

[Enda]

Justin Mason Wrote:
> 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?

Sorry about the wishy washy non-specific reference here, but I believe there
was some public project that Accenture were involved in where Accenture
carried the US$1M feck up 'can'. That among other reasons is why that
particular company wins many public contracts.

I guess milage can vary on other projects, which with "hindsight" analysis,
the persons concerned will be told to stick with the big names in future,
buy from someone with the cash to put things right. Mandrake -v-
Microsoft.... hmm...

There is also a jobs protection issue thats not been mentioned. Microsoft
do, and some would suggest to a certain degree "against their own will",
provide a certain level of employment here. It might be considered bad form,
or an employment risk if the favoured Government didnt return the compliment
in its commercial dealings, and opted to offer software contracts to linux
distributions that have no direct empoyment base in the country. Guess thats
a hidden part of the "TCO" calculations, and a very costly element at that.

 -Enda.