Dear Colleagues, Looking at all the contributions it seems the debate leans more towards Open source vs. Proprietary software tools. Perhaps what we should really be thinking about is how to "basket" and harness Free Open Source to work alongside Proprietary software. They are BOTH here and will BOTH be here for a while at least. The question is how do we "organize" the growth of Open source to avoid duplication, create standards and channel collective thinking on the good work that has already been done on Open Source.
This is where the international NGOs who like Kris Dev says " are getting funding and attending conferences" can now start to work together towards some kind of global institute that can drive standards, policy relating to open source, R and D, if it is to be priced by who how much etc., [perhaps even some seed funding for "worthy" open source ideas. So much work is being done by disparate groups and I feel we need to channel this towards collective development (in foundation at least - I dont imply controlling it). I for one work for the global numbering Standards Organization - GS1 - (formerly EAN international). GS1, operating in 101 countries, Is responsible for development of the bar-coding and numbering standards now widely used, EDI - Electronic Data Interchange and now a standard for RFID-Radio Frequency Identification called EPC (together with MIT), I am sure at some level GS1 may want to be involved in some collaborative work towards "organizing" FOSS. If we can agree that in its natural progression, FOSS wasn't meant to "compete" against Proprietary tools but to foster wider and faster adoption of ICTs through least or no cost, then all the arguments for or against become a distraction. We need to channel thinking, organize developments and share successes. The Question is who (and what, where, how) is willing to participate in the developing of this MELTING POT for FOSS? Rosemary Amondi Marketing Manager GS1 Kenya, P.O box 3243-00200, Nairobi Kenya Tel 254-020-4452680/1 GSM: +254-0722236806 ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
