[Web4lib] [Fwd: Open Source In Libraries Website]

[Chadwick Seagraves]

All,

I'm reposting this here since this discussion is taking place 
simultaneously on the two lists I posted this announcement on - web4lib 
and code4lib.  Which to me brings up a paradox in the line of reasoning 
I am hearing.  If there is some aversion to having a second list for 
open source in libraries, why is there a separate list for code4lib and 
also web4lib?  Code4lib addresses this on it's description page by 
narrowing the focus to primarily programming, while leaving it open for 
discussions of the type that happen as well on web4lib.

Forgive me; perhaps it's the Philosophy major in me. I guess I just 
don't understand the questioning of "having  another list" for OSS.  
Just because there is already one out there doesn't mean that another 
can't be started.  That seems akin to saying, "Well, we have Evergreen, 
what would we need Koha for?" Or, "Wired writes technology news and 
blogs, why would someone need CNET news and blogs?".

A comprehensive list of lists would be great, but even if there is a 
central location, that shouldn't  prevent folks who don't like the 
format or interface, who want to change the focus or audience, or who 
don't know about the list, from starting their own or require that they 
ask the other group before starting it. I just find it ironic that a 
discussion of an open source website, focusing on a topic which at it's 
core is about freedom of choice and developing alternatives, is leading 
to a discussion of how a central list would possibly prevent 
duplication. This isn't like a split in a development tree, but merely 
making available another information access point.

But then again, we ARE librarians - we organize information for a 
living.  I came close to listmania last week when I started going over 
all the lists I keep: music, books, movies I own, concerts I've been to, 
books I've read, things I take with me on vacation, etc. Yeah, I'm a bit 
anal retentive sometimes. :-)  C'est la vie

Chadwick

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All,
I'm glad to see some positive responses to this new effort. I know that 
Jeff Humphrey knew about oss4lib prior to beginning this and that he has 
opened lines of communication with Dan since this discussion started.  
Thank you all for your support and encouragement as this new venture begins.

I am a member of a consortium task force that has been evaluating all 
sorts of PAC enhancements/front ends, ILS's, and more.  Our consortium 
is interested in what is happening with OSS in and for libraries, but 
are cautious adopters. I continue to notice that many Directors, 
front-line librarians, and even systems librarians are unfamiliar with 
some of the ramifications and considerations that should be kept in mind 
when reviewing FLOSS for implementation.  I see lots of interest, but 
the level of understanding is still low.  It's up to us as IT 
professionals (who happen to also be librarians) to help make this 
transition easy for them if we expect them to seriously consider using 
OSS tools and apps for library purposes. 

The standard disconnect between technologists and users continues to be 
an obstacle that must be overcome. It's funny because I sent Dan's 
article from CIL titled "What Libraries Still Don't Know about Open 
Source" to several of our lists on Tuesday. Our members need executive 
summaries like KGS writes and introductions like Dan's to help break the 
ice.  I'm still trying to find a locally hosted wiki package that has an 
easy to use interface so the front-line librarians don't balk the first 
time they try to use the syntax.

My place of work has used OSS from the beginning and we use it almost 
exclusively if we have a choice. However, the folks we support are just 
*users* and they most often don't have the programming and coding skills 
to modify what they need to make it work locally.  But WE do, and that's 
our job.  I think coders and programmers often can be intimidating to 
converse with.  Anyone who has joined an established developers forum 
will know to what I am referring. The "thread nazi's" on forums make it 
hard for n00bs to jump in without getting squashed. I'm not making any 
comparisons or allusions here, just talking about the general esoteric 
nature of programming and coding communities.

For the lone systems librarian at small institutions with a beginner or 
intermediate skill level in programming, a different level of discussion 
will be necessary.  I also think the average, non-techie librarian would 
be more likely to participate in a group where others were at that 
level.  I haven't participated on oss4lib, so I can't speak to that. 
Please don't read more into this than what I am stating. 

OSS is not a panacea and comes with it's own set of draw-backs and bugs. 
No single software product is perfect, but the freedom to make it your 
own, IF you have the skills, knowledge, time, money, and staff, is 
incremental to helping libraries transition from a total dependence on 
vendor development for our products.   I am happy that Liblime is taking 
the approach that they have thus far to help libraries transition into 
this model.  Paying for service rather than the product.

I suppose my point is that catering to various levels of users seeking 
information is a good thing and in keeping with the democratic 
principles the movement is founded on.  I feel that two sites will 
likely complement each other. If there is a need being met it will 
succeed. If not it will fade away. Such is the way of the net and 
technology in general.
-- 
*Chadwick J. Seagraves:* M.S.L.S
Library Systems Analyst
Private Academic Library Network of Indiana
Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority
(317) 298-6570 ext. 116 or (800)-733-1899
6202 Morenci Trail
Indianapolis, IN 46268
palni.edu <http://www.palni.edu>
InfoSciPhi.info <http://www.infosciphi.info>

-- 
*Chadwick J. Seagraves:* M.S.L.S
Library Systems Analyst
Private Academic Library Network of Indiana
Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority
(317) 298-6570 ext. 116 or (800)-733-1899
6202 Morenci Trail
Indianapolis, IN 46268
palni.edu <http://www.palni.edu>
InfoSciPhi.info <http://www.infosciphi.info>