I strongly encourage and use open source software, but most of these positive attributes don’t get at core motivations or reluctance that people might have.
In many instances, especially where human resources are limited, proprietary models provide convenience and reassurance — if there is a problem, there is a company or person that you can reach out to for support. Every time that you introduce something new and complex that people rely upon or is mission critical to a one or two person support team. It’s daunting. So, in an average business setting, going with Microsoft Word or Excel is a pretty safe bet, aside from it being proprietary, being from a large corporation with different interests than mine, and I have no insight into future features. But, that under-resourced IT person certainly has a deep knowledgebase and a direct line to support if one of their users starts to get a weird error. When some user comes to them wanting to run LibreOffice, I can *easily* understand how that feels entirely out of left field and who knows what it introduces into their small ecosystem. Or when someone suggests that the design department starts using GIMP instead of Adobe Creative Suite. It’s part of why SaaS works. RHEL makes linux easier for a lot of places to administer. Or hosted web services. Or even the slew of proprietary software systems that museums run on that are now presenting a cloud-based option. The maintenance and problem solving becomes partially someone else’s problem, even if you’re paying for it (and it can also be argued that creates some responsibility). I think you need to find transition arguments as opposed to just championing the benefits of open source. For example: - As a user, I’m willing to take primary responsibility for this software that I want to try. How can we sandbox what I’m doing to have the least amount of impact on IT? - For xx software, there’s a strong support community that I’ve been a part of for xx months. As a user, I’m willing to do basic troubleshooting with that community and ask for limited support from IT - xx software is being used at these other similar museums and I’ve talked to the staff their about support and maintenance, can I set up an appt for our IT depts to talk about the overall effort? - I’ve done some commercial comparisons and this open source software has additional benefits that are important to me as a user, can we talk through those needs and see if this software really is my best solution? - I understand the general policy of open source, can you help me better understand the underlying concerns and reasons so we can make sure we address those? None of that is to remove responsibility from IT but it makes the attempt to understand where they’re coming from and why and then find a common transition point that makes it a shared approach and resolution. -bw. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bruce Wyman | Principal bwy...@usd-mach.com | 720.208.6586 USD Design | MACH Consulting | www.usd-mach.com Strategy • Design • Concept • Implementation > On Aug 19, 2019, at 9:31 AM, Sina Bahram <s...@sinabahram.com> wrote: > > To build on that great list. > > You can control your data because it's not trapped in a proprietary format. > > Because of the above, transitioning to a different software in the future is > now not impossible, like it can be if a proprietary tool goes out of business. > > If you wish to fix/enhance the software, you're not at the behest of a large > corporation whose interests may be quite different than yours. You can hire > internal or external staff to modify the software for your needs. > > Integration and interoperability are often-times easier as a result because > open source software tends to favor open standards. > > Due to the management tooling around open source, defect/feature tracking is > a much more transparent process e.g. you can track that feature you're > excited about and its progress through development, testing, and eventually > production. Similarly, you can check the status of a bug, see reports from > others on that issue, and even collaborate wen multiple organizations may > care about the same bug, thereby lowering the cost of getting it fixed. > > Take care, > Sina > > President, Prime Access Consulting, Inc. > Phone: 919-345-3832 > https://www.PAC.bz > Twitter: @SinaBahram > Personal Website: https://www.sinabahram.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: mcn-l <mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu> On Behalf Of nikhil trivedi > Sent: Monday, August 19, 2019 11:55 AM > To: Museum Computer Network Listserv <mcn-l@mcn.edu> > Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Assistance needed with ULAN data > > Hey all, > > My go-to talking points when people talk about their trepidation with open > source because of perceived insecurity: > > - Open source forces developers to write more secure code since we know > everyone will see it. > - More eyes on code mean more perspectives to catch security > vulnerabilities. OSS communities have long been supportive of helping each > other make code *more*secure than they would be otherwise. > - Microsoft Windows has been the most targetted piece of software in our > industry for decades and they're closed source. Closed source doesn't > equate protection from attacks or equate good security. > > Hope this helps! > nikhil > > On Sat, Aug 17, 2019 at 7:58 PM Mark Mangoba <mmang...@petersen.org> wrote: > >> Hi Nancy, >> >> >> You can guide your tech staff to view the Open Refine Repository via GitHub >> at: https://github.com/OpenRefine/OpenRefine - they will be able to see >> the commits and updates to the software, this should allow them to be more >> comfortable with software. Most Open Source projects rely on a strong >> community and as you can tell looking at GitHub: Open Refine certainly is >> backed by a lot of support. >> >> >> Your organization already uses Open Source software such as Drupal for >> mnhs.org. I am a Technical Program Manager at Drupal - >> https://www.drupal.org/u/markmangoba (I also work for the Petersen Museum >> in Los Angeles as a consultant) and although the software is Open Source, >> it has a very mature development cycle and a dedicated security team. >> >> >> Your tech team may have had a bad experience in the past with OSS projects >> and its true there has been some projects that may have not been updated >> causing security issues. This is why reviewing the repository and the >> community is an important aspect in selecting OSS software in regards to >> sustainability. >> >> >> Since I’m passionate, contribute and work for open source feel free let >> your tech team know if they want to know more about the OSS eco-system. >> They >> can email me via markmangoba@association.drupal.o >> <markmang...@association.drupal.or>rg or my museum email at >> mmang...@petersen.org. Besides being on the Drupal staff, I was also on >> the Python staff so I have a lot of work in OSS, i'd want your tech team to >> feel comfortable again with supported OSS projects. >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Mark >> >> >> *Mark Mangoba | Technology Consultant* | Petersen Automotive Museum | >> Technology & Innovation | mmang...@petersen.org | Technology Help Desk: >> t...@petersen.org | Supervisor: arosa...@petersen.org (Director) | >> petersen.org >> >> >> On Sat, Aug 17, 2019 at 1:39 PM Bruce Wyman <bwy...@usd-mach.com> wrote: >> >>> Nik (and others) — >>> >>> I agree, it’s a surprising viewpoint and I’m always a bit surprised when >> I >>> encounter it but usually expect that it’s a by-product of other internal >>> factors. >>> >>> In this instance, I wonder if it’s simply that it’s a small museum with >>> limited resources and with an IT staff (or person) that has limited >>> experience outside of a range of solutions. And, with limited resources >> to >>> spend on exploring something new vs something that’s known. That doesn’t >>> mean it’s a good situation but clearly a support system and possible >>> mentorship from experienced colleagues in the field may get that museum >>> closer to an open-source solution. >>> >>> It’s also certainly possible that they’ve been burned in the past. (If >>> only there was a stuffed therapy dog handy so they could point out where >> it >>> hurts). In which case, not only mentorship but ongoing resources of >>> assistance or guidance would help ease that path to recovery. >>> >>> -bw. >>> >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> Bruce Wyman | Principal >>> bwy...@usd-mach.com | 720.208.6586 >>> >>> USD Design | MACH Consulting | www.usd-mach.com >>> Strategy • Design • Concept • Implementation >>> >>>> On Aug 17, 2019, at 12:45 PM, Nik Honeysett <nhoneys...@bpoc.org> >> wrote: >>>> >>>> This is a great left-turn from a ULAN question. Both the point of view >>> of OSS and the empowerment role of IT rather than as gatekeeper is fairly >>> ubiquitous in our field, and while I know this comes from frustration, >> (and >>> I am guilty) critique and antagonism, I’ve learned is not the answer. How >>> do we engage and educate these folks? >>>> >>>> -nik >>>> >>>> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >>>> Nik Honeysett >>>> CEO, BPOC >>>> e: nhoneys...@bpoc.org >>>> m: (805) 402-3326 >>>> via mobile >>>> >>>>> On Aug 17, 2019, at 10:15, Sina Bahram <s...@sinabahram.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Wow. Your network team is exhibiting professional negligence, >> bordering >>> on pure incompetence, if they are asserting that open-source is not >> secure. >>> That's an incredibly concerning lack of understanding of the most basic >>> tenants of technology and modern operations. This debate was solved >> decades >>> ago, not months ago. Trillions of dollars of operations occur over >>> open-source technologies in the most relaxed environments in the world to >>> the most secure ones. >>>>> >>>>> There are a myriad of examples of where open source and open standards >>> is the "only" way to ensure true security, interoperability, >> accessibility, >>> data transparency, and so much more. >>>>> >>>>> Good luck. You have my empathy. >>>>> >>>>> Take care, >>>>> Sina >>>>> >>>>> President, Prime Access Consulting, Inc. >>>>> Phone: 919-345-3832 >>>>> https://www.PAC.bz >>>>> Twitter: @SinaBahram >>>>> Personal Website: https://www.sinabahram.com >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: mcn-l <mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu> On Behalf Of Matt Morgan >>>>> Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2019 7:06 AM >>>>> To: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>> Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Assistance needed with ULAN data >>>>> >>>>> Shyam's being kind here. It's 2019. I can't believe I'm seeing that >>>>> statement. If that's what they really said, it's completely >>>>> unprofessional at this point. >>>>> >>>>> OpenRefine is in a category unto itself. It's worth them spending some >>>>> time "securing" it, if they're serious. But what they're really saying >>>>> is "we want to control what software you use to make our jobs >> minimally >>>>> easier." What they could be saying is "IT is about empowering the >> staff >>>>> with tech, even when it's hard." >>>>> >>>>> Matt Morgan >>>>> CTO >>>>> Curtis Institute of Music >>>>> >>>>>> On 8/16/19 4:17 PM, Shyam Oberoi wrote: >>>>>> "My network team took it away because they believe open source is >>> generally not secure." >>>>>> >>>>>> That's insane, the product was developed by Google! >>>>>> >>>>>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenRefine >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Shyam Oberoi >>>>>> Chief Digital Officer >>>>>> Royal Ontario Museum >>>>>> O: 416-586-7935 >>>>>> E: sobe...@rom.on.ca >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: mcn-l <mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu> On Behalf Of Nancy Hoffman >>>>>> Sent: Friday, August 16, 2019 2:48 PM >>>>>> To: Museum Computer Network Listserv <mcn-l@mcn.edu> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Assistance needed with ULAN data >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi Samantha - >>>>>> >>>>>> I have a question related to your answer for Erin. Do you know of a >>> program other than OpenRefine that can fetch URIs from the Getty's >>> reconciliation services? I have been using OpenRefine for AAT vocabulary >>> terms in a data publishing project. My network team took it away because >>> they believe open source is generally not secure. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>> >>>>>> -Nancy >>>>>> >>>>>> Nancy Buck Hoffman >>>>>> >>>>>> Project Assistant >>>>>> >>>>>> Archaeology Collections >>>>>> >>>>>> Kellogg Center >>>>>> >>>>>> Minnesota Historical Society >>>>>> >>>>>> Saint Paul, MN 55102 >>>>>> >>>>>> 612-725-2371 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 12:40 PM Sami Norling < >> sami.norl...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Erin, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I would highly recommend using OpenRefine <http://openrefine.org>'s >>>>>>> reconciliation service to reconcile the museum's data with ULAN >>> entities. >>>>>>> Once reconciled in OpenRefine, you can then enrich the museum's >>>>>>> existing data with any of the data points available in ULAN. I am >>>>>>> going through this process with the Indianapolis Museum of Art data >> to >>>>>>> better support our linked data initiatives as well as to ensure that >>>>>>> our data is as complete as it can be. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> As an added step, I would also suggest that when you are done with >> the >>>>>>> reconciliation work, you contact the Getty vocabularies team to >>>>>>> inquire about contributing information about artists not currently >> in >>>>>>> ULAN to their data set. My understanding is that they are very >>>>>>> encouraging of such contributions. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Please consider this e-mail a super basic overview, and feel free to >>>>>>> contact me directly for more specific information about how to use >>>>>>> OpenRefine and their reconciliation services for your project. I'm >>>>>>> more than happy to help! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *Samantha Norling* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Digital Collections Manager >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *Newfields Lab* – Technology for Nature & the Arts >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -------------------------------------------- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *Newfields* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 4000 Michigan Road >>>>>>> Indianapolis, IN 46208 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -------------------------------------------- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> snorl...@discovernewfields.org >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 10:20 AM Erin Richardson < >>>>>>> e...@erinrichardsonconsulting.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi wise MCN-L members! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I am working with a museum to clean up their data. I don't have a >>>>>>>> lot of backend data experience. My task is to populate artist >>>>>>>> records with ULAN data. They're using EmbARK. I'd like to upload >> the >>>>>>>> relevant metadata >>>>>>> using >>>>>>>> the ULAN ID as a link. I'm having difficulty accessing the ULAN >> data >>>>>>>> from getty's download center. >>>>>>>> >> https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabularies/obtain/download.ht >>>>>>>> ml >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Note: I know next to nothing about data that is not in CSV format. >>>>>>>> I've tried to convert the sample ULAN XML data to CSV but am >> getting >>>>>>>> lots of errors. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I don't even really understand the reasonable-ness of this >> question, >>>>>>>> so please bear with me! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks for any help you're able to offer! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Erin >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _____________ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Erin Richardson, PhD, Principal >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Erin Richardson Consulting >>>>>>>> <https://www.erinrichardsonconsulting.com/> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 518.577.0186 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinerichardson/> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>>>>>> Computer >>>>>>>> Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>>>>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>>>>>> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>>>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>>>> >>>>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>>>> >>>>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>>>>> ON NOW >>>>>> Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India< >>> https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/rajasthan> >>>>>> In the Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine >> Arts, >>> Boston< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/in-the-age-of-rembrandt-dutch-paintings-from-the-museum-of-fine >>>> >>>>>> It's Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett >>> Collection< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/its-alive-classic-horror-and-sci-fi-art-from-the-kirk-hammett-0 >>>> >>>>>> Gods in My Home: Chinese New Year with Ancestor Portraits and Deity >>> Prints< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/gods-in-my-home-chinese-new-year-with-ancestor-portraits-and-deity >>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> COMING SOON >>>>>> November 16, 2019 | Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/bloodsuckers-legends-to-leeches >>>> >>>>>> March 7, 2020 | Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/egyptian-mummies-exploring-ancient-lives >>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ________________________________ >>>>>> >>>>>> À L’AFFICHE >>>>>> Trésors d’un royaume du désert : les arts de la cour de Jodhpur, en >>> Inde< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/fr/expositions-et-galeries/expositions/tresors-dun-royaume-du-desert-les-arts-de-la-cour-de-jodhpur-0 >>>> >>>>>> Au temps de Rembrandt : Les peintures hollandaises du Musée des >>> beaux-arts de Boston< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/fr/expositions-et-galeries/expositions/au-temps-de-rembrandt-les-peintures-hollandaises-du-musee-des >>>> >>>>>> Sauve qui peut! L’art des grands films d’horreur et de >> science-fiction >>> de la collection de Kirk Hammett< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/fr/expositions-et-galeries/expositions/sauve-qui-peut-lart-des-grands-films-dhorreur-et-de-science >>>> >>>>>> Accueillir les divinités : Portraits d'ancêtres et estampes de dieux >>> pour le nouvel an chinois< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/fr/expositions-et-galeries/expositions/accueillir-les-divinites-portraits-dancetres-et-estampes-de >>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> À VENIR >>>>>> Le 16 novembre 2019 | Soif de sang< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/fr/expositions-et-galeries/expositions/soif-de-sang> >>>>>> Le 7 mars 2020 | Les momies égyptiennes : À la rencontre des Anciens< >>> >> https://www.rom.on.ca/fr/expositions-et-galeries/expositions/les-momies-egyptiennes-a-la-rencontre-des-anciens >>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>>>> >>>>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>>>> >>>>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>>> >>>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>>> >>>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>>> >>>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>>> >>>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >>> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>>> >>>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>>> >>>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum >> Computer >>> Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >>> >>> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >>> >>> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >>> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >>> >>> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer >> Network (http://www.mcn.edu) >> >> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu >> >> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: >> http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l >> >> The MCN-L archives can be found at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ >> > > > -- > > > > > nikhil trivedi > Web Architect, Experience Design > > Art Institute of Chicago > 111 S. Michigan Ave > Chicago, IL 60603 > (312) 857-7674 > Pronouns: he/him (what's this? > <https://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/page/gender-pronouns>) > > -- > > <https://www.artic.edu> > <http://www.artic.edu>* > * > > *Manet and Modern > Beauty <https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/2822/manet-and-modern-beauty> > * > > May 26–September 8 > The Art Institute of Chicago > Top Ranked in the World by > TripAdvisor—Six Years in a Row > _______________________________________________ > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer > Network (http://www.mcn.edu) > > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: > http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l > > The MCN-L archives can be found at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ > > _______________________________________________ > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer > Network (http://www.mcn.edu) > > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: > http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l > > The MCN-L archives can be found at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/ _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/
