[ILUG] Open source software for Hospitals and Health organisations

[Rick Moen]

Quoting Seán Mac Suibhne (smacsuibhne1 at eircom.net):

> Lest anyone thing that Open source is a tide going one way have a look at:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1550763,00.html
> where its going the other way now!

Article comments:

  "The government's policy on open source is to let each purchasing
  organisation decide case by case, according to what looks best value for
  money. The trouble with this approach, open source enthusiasts claim, is
  that it allows Microsoft to pick out high-profile adopters of open
  source and make offers that are not just attractive but actually illegal
  to refuse."

Along those lines, for the Central Scotland incident, there is passing
mention that "Central Scotland decided to work with Microsoft" and
"announced a three-year enterprise-wide agreement with Microsoft last
week", but is oddly reticent about that agreement's particulars.

I'd bet good money that Microsoft offered essentially giveaway terms at
a net loss (which will be, in effect, underwritten by their other
customers).

Microsoft have been attempting that ploy in test cases all over the
world.  In some, e.g., Munich's municipal government, they end up losing
even after throwing profitability completely out the window:  Munich's
managers decided that Microsoft's desparation offer was cheaper on
tangible initial costs, but that the vital issue of control over IT
warranted preferring open source, instead.

Which was very cheering, because it means Munich's officials clearly
understood the _real_ long-term issue at stake in such decisions.
Obviously, those in Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Stirling haven't yet
figured that out.

"Paging William Wallace.  White courtesy telephone, please."