[Linux-aus] Finding the right people in Govt

[Con Zymaris]

On Thu, Jan 22, 2004 at 10:32:13PM +1100, Stewart Smith wrote:
> It would be interesting to try and find out how groups such as LA, AUUG
> and the larger community could get involved in such a thing. And how
> this would be different from a vendor getting involved (which is
> arguably what should happen)?


There is a broader question. Does government want to interact with
essentially technical or community groups for any policy-level
discussions. I'm afraid my experience over the past 18 months has been
that it generally doesn't. This is one of the drivers for the creation of
Open Source Industry, Australia.

To be blunt, Governments and big business prefer to talk to organisations
whose motives they can understand; they understand people wanting to go
forth and make money.  Having for-profit pro-FOSS companies band together
to provide such a touchstone is the reason-detre for an industry
organisation.

Having said that, the people within such an organisation are also the same
people heavily into LA, AUUG, the state-based industry clulsters and the
LUGs. This new packaging is a means to an end to reach an audience who 
would otherwise be distrusting and lukewarm.

-- 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Con Zymaris <conz at cyber.com.au> Level 4, 10 Queen St, Melbourne 03 9621 2377 
Cybersource: Unix/Linux, TCP/IP and Web App. Development  www.cyber.com.au