open source software

Is open-source software a blessing?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Open-source software may be a blessing in disguise for IT offices that are forced to tighten their belts because of economic woes. "The economic slowdown in the United States may actually boost demand for open source services," said Gard Little, program manager, IDC's Worldwide Services and Emerging Services Opportunities research programs. "If organizations adopt more open source software as part of a strategy to reduce software costs, the demand for related services should increase." Does this make sense to you?

For more on the benefits of open source software:
- Check out this Tekrati article

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Is Linux losing steam?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

It is hard not to root for open-source software development in general and for the feisty Linux operating system in particular. But after achieving double digit growth rates during the last few years, the pace of adoption appears to be tapering off. According to a recent poll by UBS, more than 90 percent of CIOs surveyed report that they do not plan to deploy the open-source operating system in their servers in this calendar year, up from the 87 percent who responded the same way to their last survey in January. Despite the growth, and the significant amount of excitement surrounding Linux, the big winner in the enterprise server space, according to UBS, remains Windows, with a solid 80 percent share of market. Whatever growth Linux is getting appears to be coming out of the hide of Unix's former market share, which was the original effort to introduce open systems (at the time to take on Big Blue's SNA).

To read more on Linux in enterprise:
- see the details in the Informationweek article

Open-Source Software to reach $5.8 billion in 2011

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Open-source has become serious business. A new IDC study predicts that the market for stand-alone open-source software will reach $5.8 billion in 2011. In 2006, the market was already worth $1.8 billion. IDC found that the open-source market is in a significant stage of growth, as previous barriers to adoption fall away, particularly among business users.

For more on the economic potential of open-source:
- See this article from Linux Lookup

Navigating software problems

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:01:38 -0500

Software offers great benefits, but often comes fraught with problems, such as cost, quality, maintenance and usability. Price can be a major issue and one reason is that many types of software are procured through seat licensing. Instead, insist on pricing portal capabilities based on functionality. Another way to reign in costs is by turning to open-source, software services and tougher negotiations as a way to stem rising software maintenance fees. Thirdly, avoid customizing software unless it's absolutely necessary. Heavy customization costs money and can result in time-consuming bugs. Sometimes, off-the-shelf is good enough. To make sure that your vendors continue to provide a high level of support and service, make sure that your contract includes opt-out clauses based on certain service and support requirements. Finally, consider on-demand software, an effective pay-what-you-eat approach.

Learn more about maximizing your software's value:
- read the article at Optimize

Open-source to take root in Netherlands

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:01:37 -0500

In a move to reduce costs and increase leverage with vendors and suppliers, Amsterdam's technology leaders are moving toward open-source technologies, though they won't be tossing out all of their Microsoft systems. The city is one of 10 currently evaluating the possibility of an open-source environment. These municipalities believe open-source software allows for more secure data exchange and storage capabilities.

For more on the move to open-source:
- read the news at BusinessWeek

Red Hat bullish on the future of open source

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:01:37 -0500

In very simple terms it appears that Red Hat is quite bullish about its own future and the future of open source software. We've seen some big names, including Novell, Microsoft and Oracle making some dramatic announcements during the past months about their efforts to enter the open-source software market. But Red Hat doesn't seem too intimidated. As the vendor's executive VP of sales states, Red Hat doesn't see any of their competitor's moves as posing a serious threat. Why? He believes that customers aren't too anxious to put all their eggs in one basket.

For more on Red Hat's bravado:
- check out the Q&A at C/NET News.com

Related News: Red Hat swings away at vendor partnerships. Article
Related Article: How secure is open source anyway? Article

ALSO NOTED: Apple to celebrate 30th birthday; TX tech leaders indicted on kick-back scheme; and much more...

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Apple to celebrate its 30th birthday. Article

> Texas tech leaders indicted on kick-back scheme. Article

> Homeland infrastructure group can avoid open meetings rules. Article

> Intel mulls over a brand for business PC customer base. Article

> A faster, less power-draining data storage device. Article

> Worker blog calls for Microsoft firings over Vista delay. Article

> NASA puts open-source software in public directory for access. Article

> A 'smart' acronym for getting good security in place. Article

And Finally... The written word is gobbled up on Japanese mobile phones. Article

Commercial apps predicted to die off

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:01:35 -0500

It's a pretty bold statement to make, but an open source tech titan says commercial software is going to fade away with services taking the industry by storm. That was the statement made by Greg Stein, chairman of the Apache Software Foundation, at the recent EclipseCon 2006. One good example of the trend, said Stein, is how enterprises are turning to OpenOffice automation package as a replacement option to Microsoft Office. The slack left in the wake of no more commercial products will be taken up by needed support services, including configuration, installation, maintenance, upgrading, testing and customization of open-source software technologies.

For more on the demise of commercial software:
- read this article at InfoWorld

ALSO NOTED: BlackBerry taking on desktop phone personality; Google opens new office at ASU; and much more...

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> BlackBerry taking on a desktop phone personality. Article

> Google opens a new office on Arizona State campus. Article

> Phishers using redirection tactic to stay one step ahead. Article

> How switching to 'off' can boost mobile user productivity. Article

> Potential uses for RFID technology expanding everyday. Article

> Flaws found in GNU open source software. Article

> How a retailer is using the Internet to move its brand ahead. Article

And Finally... Saturn moon geysers may indicate extraterrestrial life. Article