When it comes to open source it doens't matter if you are the U.S. or India
In the past two weeks I have read numerous analyst reports, case studies or articles about how open source is gaining more traction in this time of economic turmoil. Those of us who have been proponents of open source are not surprised. As a matter of fact many of us may be saying "well DUH"! Whereas a year ago the cost savings of open source argument was not all that compelling it seems to be at the forefront of what I've been reading. Which is great, and not to dismiss the importance of cost savings, but I think there is more to it than cost savings. There has to be. I want to believe that open source is not just about practical imperative. Call me naive but I believe it is a way of thinking about the world and our fellow citizens and that it's not about "free as in beer" but free as in "freedom".
Case and point.
Most recently I read Scott McNeally's Op-Ed piece in LiveMint.com in which he puts forth the idea that India is particularly well-positioned to take advantage of open source technology as a way of driving its economic growth though innovation and job creation. Which is all good for sure. But my favorite part of his piece is where he reiterates the notion that the citizens of India and the government which supports them can remain free from the clutches of commercial vendors (and lock-in) allowing them to maintain control of their data for many years to come. Which, of course we all know is not only true about India or emerging markets for that matter.
According to Mr. McNealy the advice he gives India "mirrors the advice I’ve given to the new US administration and to governments around the world—develop an open source policy and standardize your country’s IT and vital data on standards, not on vendors."
I hope they've been listening.
Case and point.
Most recently I read Scott McNeally's Op-Ed piece in LiveMint.com in which he puts forth the idea that India is particularly well-positioned to take advantage of open source technology as a way of driving its economic growth though innovation and job creation. Which is all good for sure. But my favorite part of his piece is where he reiterates the notion that the citizens of India and the government which supports them can remain free from the clutches of commercial vendors (and lock-in) allowing them to maintain control of their data for many years to come. Which, of course we all know is not only true about India or emerging markets for that matter.
According to Mr. McNealy the advice he gives India "mirrors the advice I’ve given to the new US administration and to governments around the world—develop an open source policy and standardize your country’s IT and vital data on standards, not on vendors."
I hope they've been listening.
I can't believe it, you represent Sun in an official capacity and you misuse the logos of both HP & Sun by stretching to fit your blog? Please follow the internal company guidelines of both companies on how to use logos.
BTW, I'm loving the HP endorsement!
Posted by Anantha on February 26, 2009 at 07:35 AM PST #