[Linux-aus] Promoting FOSS in Australia

[Con Zymaris]

On Wed, Feb 25, 2004 at 02:43:24AM +1100, Pia Smith wrote:
> On Fri, 2004-02-20 at 10:46, Ben Minton wrote:
> 
> > Is this a political fight? Should it become one? Given our .gov.au 's
> > preference for proprietry business solutions being reinforced by poorly
> > structured purchasing and support contracts, maybe this is the next
> > step.
> 
> A real danger at the moment is OSS becoming an election platform,
> meaning that one party drives it and other may oppose on the basis of
> who is driving it. If this happens it becomes a case of "if" rather than
> "how". By approaching many groups equally, hopefully they will see the
> benefits of OSS and the OS model in different areas in Australia, then
> it is down to the details of "how".
> 
> Politicians have agendas too ;) we can't go clapping every person on the
> shoulder who takes to this stuff. Strategies! Not just reactive actions.


Agreed. 

Stay clear of the 'political' sphere, at least publically, and concentrate
on helping smooth out areas which prevent FOSS solutions being considered
by government procurement people presently. Areas such as a lack of
broadly understood risk assessment and FOSS 'product' quality assessment
guidelines; lack of local FOSS solution providers' experience in selling
into government; lack of 'product' marketing etc.

LA (or AUUG or OSIA etc) being seen to be espousing one party over another
may get publicity, but will not engender the end results we all want with 
those who make the purchasing decisions. In fact, the opposite.

-- 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Con Zymaris <conz at cyber.com.au> Level 4, 10 Queen St, Melbourne, Australia 
Cybersource: Australia's Leading Linux and Open Source Solutions Company 
Web: http://www.cyber.com.au/  Phone: 03 9621 2377   Fax: 03 9621 2477