[Web4lib] Advantages of open source software

[Karen G. Schneider]

David Walker noted:

> With commercial software, you end-up paying for two things: (1) a license
> just so you can use the software in the first place, and (2) support.

Even when the cost for open source software comes close to proprietary
software, there are other practical advantages to OSS.  Because the code
can be viewed by anyone, it's just not possible (or it's at least
difficult) to hide problems from customers. This is also why OSS can be
far more secure than its proprietary counterparts, particularly for
programs with large developer communities.

Also, because it's open source, as long as you have access to developers
(hired, contracted, or cajoled into efforts), you can get the product you
want. You can participate in the community for that software and help
shepherd changes that benefit everyone, or if the community at large is on
a different track than you are, you can use developers to modify the code
the way you want it.

Also, after watching the library marketplace for close to 20 years, I
observe (not exactly an original point) that companies come and companies
go... sometimes leaving libraries in the lurch with dying software no one
can modify. With open source software, if you can find developers, you can
fix it.

OSS isn't a panacea. As a total solution, it isn't necessarily cheaper
than the total cost of ownership for proprietary software (though it
frequently works out that way). Nor does "OSS" automatically equate to
"good software." Much of it is, some of it is not.

Finally, like everything else, maintaining a library system takes time and
money--somebody's time, and somebody's money. I think if Caitlin's
director suggesting eliminating her $3500 budget and said "Just get
donated books," Caitlin would point out that she can't get the books she
needs through donations; if the director axed her salary, Caitlin would
also point out that she can't work for free. The same can be said for her
library system software.

That said, with 1200 items and a small budget, some of the smaller
solutions proposed by some of us on and off this list may scale well for
her. However, maybe this thread can be useful for her in another way -- by
providing arguments she can use for funding a small hosted system for her
library.

-- 
| Karen G. Schneider
| Community Librarian
| Equinox Software Inc. "The Evergreen Experts"
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