Open Your Mind to Open Source

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Open Your Mind to Open Source

• CLiC Spring Workshop
• Grand Junction
• February 26, 2008

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What exactly is Open Source?

• Open source is a development method for software
  that implements the power of peer review and the
  transparency of process.
• The promise of open source is better quality,
  higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost,
  and the end to predatory vendor lock-in.
• The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit
  corporation formed to educate about and advocate
  for the benefits of open source.

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Open Source predates proprietary software!

• The common view is that open source is some sort
  of radical new idea, but in fact, early computer
  software's source code was open to viewing and
  changes.
• This model was the norm until 1976 when Bill
  Gates posted his famous letter on the Homebrew
  Computing Club demanding that people stop sharing
  his Altair BASIC that the idea of proprietary
  software began to emerge.
• The Free Software Foundation was started in 1985
  in response to what was seen as the new idea of
  keeping software code secret.

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The most important freedom

• Anyone can create their own version of an
  existing piece of open source software.
• This is important in preventing vendor lock-in.

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Howard County Library

• Howard County Library in Washington, D.C., has
  six full-service branches, including a Central
  Library.  Given a population with a median income
  of 88,000 a year, the Library is well supported
  by its community.
• A library in such a situation could just sit back
  and enjoy its good fortune.   But the Library
  works hard to use its resources to explore
  technologies not just to bring benefit to itself,
  but also to pave the way for other libraries with
  fewer resources.  So, why not create a customized
  version of Linux for library use?  And why not
  install it on staff computers?  And--what the
  heck--why not install it on public access
  computers? 

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• All pretty outrageous, you might say.   But if
  you ask Head of IT Amy Begg De Groff whether the
  Library thinks about going back to the Windows
  world, she says, "NO--we want to keep going and
  get all staff on Linux." 
• What led the Library to choose Linux?  For one
  thing, there's ideology.  The Linux community has
  the intent that information is free and access
  should also be free.  (Hmm, where have we heard
  that before?)  Its a vision very compatible with
  the intent of libraries.
• But of course, there are practical
  considerations.   Amy says, "We feel an
  obligation to spend taxpayer money responsibly. 
  We realized that we can provide more machines for
  the public with the money saved--and lead the
  profession."

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• One consideration that made Linux an attractive
  choice was the operating system's stability and
  flexibility, and its resistance to viruses and
  other security.
• Another factor was the idea that the Windows
  operating system includes many, many bells and
  whistles that the Library didn't need--and didn't
  want to have to pay for.  With Linux, they would
  be able to create and manage an environment that
  specifically met their needs.
• It didn't hurt at all that Library had a couple
  of Linux aces up its sleeve IT employees Luis
  Salazar and Mike Ricksecker.  It's not every
  public library that can create a customized
  flavor of Linux named after two staffers, but
  "LuMix" is exactly that. 
•  

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• LuMix includes an operating system (which handles
  the same basic management tasks as Windows) and a
  desktop environment that looks and feels very
  much like Windows.
• Most Library customers walk into a Howard County
  Library, look up a resource in the Library's OPAC
  or surf the net, find what they need, and leave
  without ever knowing they're using a (gasp!)
  Linux system.
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• Similarly, machines designated for word
  processing still use Windows and Microsoft
  Office.   The Library plans to replace these with
  Linux computers running Open Office (MS Office's
  open source equivalent, which is already part of
  LuMix).  The Library believes that since it is as
  feature-rich as its Microsoft equivalent,
  customer needs can be sufficiently met by Open
  Office--and new and more powerful versions of the
  product are emerging with regularity. 

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• As the Library moves more definitively toward an
  open source environment,  it will be essential to
  provide customers with clear information about
  what they can and cannot do at the Library, and
  why.
• The IT department admits that it could have done
  a better job of preparing staff.  Staff didn't
  care about open source, so they didn't see the
  advantages."  She hopes that other libraries who
  make this move can learn from their
  experience--and they'd be happy to offer
  suggestions based on what they've learned. 
• Perhaps the biggest issue has been educating
  staff about how to help customers accomplish
  their computing goals at the Library given the
  open source environment's security advantages,
  without "blaming" Linux for what customers
  sometimes see as its limitations. 

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• One book that has been helpful is the Linux
  Client Migration Cookbook, a transition planning
  guide that starts with excellent information to
  orient new users.
• What's next for the ambitious folks at Howard
  County Library?  They're testing a product
  called "Crossover Office" that tricks a Linux
  desktop into thinking it's on a Windows machine.
• Howard County Library is unlikely to sit still. 
  So if you want to have an idea of what the future
  of open source library computing might look like,
  or should look like, or could look like, keep an
  eye on Library.  But you'd better not
  blink--you're likely to miss the next innovation.

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Links

• http//www.vufind.org/
• The library OPAC meets Web 2.0
• http//libraryfind.org/
• Makes it easier to find information in your
  library
• http//oss-fs.pbwiki.com
• Open source Software that appeals to some
  librarians simply because theyd rather buy books
  than licenses
• http//whdb.com/2008/the-top-50-proprietary-progra
  ms-that-drive-you-crazy-and-their-open-source-alte
  rnatives/
• Top 50 Proprietary Programs that Drive You Crazy
  and Their Open Source Alternatives

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• http//www.opensourcewindows.org/
• Open Source software for Windows
• http//www.opensourcemac.org/
• Open Source software for Mac OS X
• http//www.nvu.com/
• Rivals programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver