Re: Article in Globes

[Guy Baruch]

Shaul Karl wrote:

In the Israeli there are 2 aspects which are also present else where

but might be more noticeable here:

1. Open Source means a switch from the more traditional way of thinking.
 

so ? is new==good ?

2. Hopefully it will divert money that is now spent outside of Israel,
  for whatever world wide giant, to many small local groups. Which is
  a good thing because that money is likely to circulate locally. It is
  true that those world wide giant have local branches. But trying to
  smoothly balanced the needs of every group in the population is one
  of the government duties. As such, due to its advantages, open source
  can not be completely ruled out. The real question should probably be
  what is the best balance. Conclusion: even if TCO is higher for OS,
  it is worth it.
 

I think what you're trying to say is that long-term TCO for the 
_country_ is lower for OS.

However, in order for this to be more than an ideological claim, one 
should back it up with
numbers, at least estimates.

Example: How much of the GNP comes from MS-il ? What are estimates for 
this number
for the next 10-15 years ? How much would an OSS based industry 
contribute to Israel's
GNP more than a proprietary one ?
What is the possible damage MS can do to Israel's economy (what portion 
of its R&D can it
relocate? ) ? What are the medium (~10 yrs) and long-term probabilities 
for survival of MS ?

3. Since software development does not require more then skilled man
  power, it seems natural for the state of Israel. I agree that this is
  a tough business because skilled man power can be also found else
  where.
 

This is a general claim w.r.t. sw-dev: Implications on the free vs 
proprietary sw debate can be
drawn both ways.

4. I assume that the research was done out of Israel. 

Which research ? OS research ? Most of the research in the world is done 
outside of israel
[Duh ... ;-) ], When and how much should the government/market 
pay/invest for the open
of sw ?

Which is one more
  reason to ask for the raw data and the full calculation which lead
  the researchers to their end result.
 

                     and it because of the "forking problem" it is risky
to use OS.
   



 Forking also means that some one tries another way. Forking means that
each head will merge good results out of the other head. Due to its open
nature, forking also let the end user interfere in the end result. It 
also let other people to maintain the old code. 

 

It sais that the Government of Israel should not move from MS an
other propriatery solutions to OS.
   



 That seems to be going too far. A better conclusion would be the right
balance between propriatery solutions and OS.
 

I agree. Let me refine this by the claim*  that OSS strong areas are 
widely-distributed sw,
including infra-structure, where user-masses are more important than 
individual
(or team) developper talent.

IOW, I would argue that Israel should invest in open commons and 
proprietary niches.

* This is by no means a new claim. In fact, this "traditional way of 
thinking" is the summary
of "the cathedral and bazaar". Being old doesn't make it wrong, though 
.. :-)

 
 

--
-- regards
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Guy Baruch , Plasma Laboratory, Weizmann Institue.
+ http://plasma-gate.weizmann.ac.il/~guybar
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------


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