Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Re: Comparision between MapServer/OpenLayers and ESRI ArcIMS

[Alex Mandel]

Julia Harrell wrote:
 
 Have you considered whether surplused hardware from within your organization 
 could be used for some of this?

 It may not suffice for a windows server, and i did not see if you already 
 have linux boxes.

 
 Surplus would work for a dev/test box, if/when you can manage to get your 
 hands on one. But really, by the time anything gets surplused around here, it 
 is completely worn out and dang near worthless. Unfortunately, the 'IT 
 Overlords' also have some bizarre squirrelly aversion to Linux and refuse to 
 allow it on any production GIS servers.

That would be fear of the unknown(non gui) and job security at work.
Wouldn't want someone else in the org who knows more about running servers.
Maybe you can get them to throw a bone to demo something on a virtual
machine hosted elsewhere(Amazon) just to show how easy it is.

Welcome to the land of small to medium government agencies, etc.
The best thing here is showing examples from equivalent groups, of which
there are plenty online now.

Alex

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RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Re: Comparision between MapServer/OpenLayers and ESRI ArcIMS

[Jason Birch]

I think that it's generally less fear of the unknown or job security than it is 
the cost of adding complexity to what is often an already over-extended support 
load.  In many cases it just makes sense to spend $1000 for a server OS that 
doesn't require additional training, is easy to get qualified techs for, and 
just works with the existing systems.  It doesn't matter how easy Linux is; 
it's one more thing to keep track of and one more thing to go wrong.

If you want to win the open source battle at small organisations that don't 
already have OS operating system tendencies, focus on the application level 
where you can make a strong business case on a feature-by-feature level, and 
with additional arguments about truly open data being more sustainable and less 
risky.  Personally I think that an open source or bust attitude is not very 
pragmatic.  Sell open source software where it is the best tool for the job, 
but pick your battles.

Jason

-Original Message-
From: Alex Mandel
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 4:25 PM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Re: Comparision between MapServer/OpenLayers and 
ESRI ArcIMS

That would be fear of the unknown(non gui) and job security at work.
Wouldn't want someone else in the org who knows more about running servers.
Maybe you can get them to throw a bone to demo something on a virtual
machine hosted elsewhere(Amazon) just to show how easy it is.

Welcome to the land of small to medium government agencies, etc.
The best thing here is showing examples from equivalent groups, of which
there are plenty online now.
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