http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=7827 In a recent article, I criticized an evaluation of the Linux desktop made by a member of California's Air Resources Board (ARB). Knowing how public sector vendors work, I wanted to head off a possible sabotage of California's open-source initiative based on the evaluation of a non-enterprise Linux desktop. That prompted some communication between Jim Welty, the CIO of ARB, and myself, which resulted in a conference call with key members of his staff.
"In speaking with Bill, I discovered a model state agency that has taken advantage of Linux and open-source software extensively for over a decade. The team believes ARB is first in the country in air quality management and first in the state in open-source IT solutions. When I first spoke to Welty, he immediately pointed out that his team is responsible for the agency's IT success. He points to Bill Fell, Harry Ng and Narci Gonzales as the proponents, visionaries and programmers who make open-source systems work at ARB. The California ARB has documented both the effectiveness and the cost savings of open-source software, proving that the open-source model saves money; provides comparable or better performance than proprietary software; offers reliability, flexibility and freedom from licensing hassles and violations; and provides support options from a rich variety of suppliers and user groups. As Bill states, "Management tends to believe that not all great or elegant solutions, IT or otherwise, need to be expensive, must come pre-packaged or shrink-wrapped or include every bell and whistle. The goal is to facilitate and enhance individual productivity, albeit at a reasonable cost........... _______________________________________________ LUG mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug %LUG is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
