[NTLUG:Discuss] Texas OpenSource Initiative

[Bobby Sanders]

--On Tue, 9 Apr 2002 14:46:12 -0500, "Bob Byron" <bbyron at radit.com> said:

  >> It's time for the Texas LUGS to sponsor a bill to promote
  >> Opensource software in the state.

  BB> I am not attempting to be belligerent here, but why?  I believe
  BB> in and frequently use OpenSource software, but why does the
  BB> state legislature need to get involved?

1.  Wanna' guess how much money the state would save if they changed all
of their computers over to OpenSource.  I'd be willing to bet at least
a half a billion a year.  Am I far off?

2.  I recently logged onto a state computer that was trapping OS and
browser information before presenting a page.  I got a pop up telling
me that I couldn't access that page because I was running Linux!  In
fact it gave me a list of the OSs that would work and the browser that
would work -- all MS of course.  It also gave a link to a free down
load of IE.  Well that was bull, of course.  All I had to do was poke
around and little and I discovered that by using "xxx.com/index.asp"
instead of "xxx.com" the site was completely fooled and I could access
and tool around it from my only box, a Linux lovely, using Netscape or
Opera or even Lynx!  The nicest thing you can say about those "web
gurus" is that they are dumb.  The worst thing is that they are taking
kick backs from MS.  In between, you could just say that they are
easily coned and easy to sweet talk - just like a bunch of other sheep
we all know.

3.  I think it is a great idea to try to get the state changed over to
OpenSource just for the financial saving to us taxpayers if for no
other reason.  However, before this will have any chance of success it
will be necessary to locate a State Representative and, hopefully, a
State Senator that understand or at least willing to learn about
OpenSource.  (Anybody talk computers with their local reps?)  Only
representatives can introduce legislation and it is almost imperative
to have committed reps to work hard on this project.  I guess we could
try a grass roots approach but I think the other way would have a much
better chance of success.

All IMHO

Bobby Sanders