Re: [seul-edu] Good Post on Open Source

[tom poe <tompoe@ableweb.net>]

Hi:  Just a heartbeat away from getting a "smoking gun".  Close, but no
cigar.

I think the next bill should be one that requires by law, all lobbyists
provide a transcription of all words uttered by them during the course
of their lives.
Thanks,
Tom Poe
Open Studios
Reno, NV
http://www.studioforrecording.org/

On Sun, 2003-05-18 at 11:25, chris calise wrote:
> Hello Everyone.
> The good fight goes on.
> 
> Here is a post from Oregon Rep. Phil Barnhart,
> introducer of H.B. 2892
> 
> Open Source NOW!
> Please write your legislators!
> 
> 
> 
> Chris Calise
> president
> LCC Open Source Educational Group
> www.opensourced.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ~~HB 2892 - Open Source Software for Oregon~
> 
> Open Source. It sounds so simple, so inviting. My House Bill 2892, to
> allow the State to consider open source and open standards when making
> purchasing decisions for the State's vast computer systems, would save
> us millions of dollars. It mandates...nothing. It suggests giving us...
> a choice! School districts across the state are already reaping the
> benefits of a system that is more reliable, more secure and free, why
> not the State? Dare I suggest the presence of an 800 lb. gorilla (a.k.a.
> Microsoft) in the Speaker's office might have something to do with the
> very popular bill failing to emerge from House Government Committee?
> 
> My colleagues on both sides of the aisle reported receiving volumes of
> mail supporting the sensible procurement process. Proprietary software
> costs us every time we upgrade; with 55,000 computers in the system, the
> licensing fees alone amount to about $8 million yearly. I have yet to
> hear a well-reasoned argument against saving the State money. The chair
> of the Committee stated in a work group that he "would have introduced
> this legislation had Barnhart not beat me to it." We made numerous
> concessions to the industry in the form of amendments. The Microsoft
> people simply had no desire to work out a compromise. The answer to my
> question of their lobbyist, "So, you just want this bill to go away?"
> was an unequivocal, "Yes." The answer to their question of me, "Have you
> given up on Open Source Software for Oregon?" is an unequivocal, "NO."
> 
> I welcome your comments, thoughts and suggestions. Please feel free to
> contact my office if there is anything my staff or I can do for you. It
> is often a frustration but always an honor to serve you.
> 
> Sincerely yours,
> 
> Phil Barnhart
> 
> State Representative
> 
> Central Lane and Linn Counties
> 
> ~~Contact Rep. Barnhart~
> 
> Capitol:
> 
> 900 Court  St NE, H-477, Salem, OR 97301
> 
> In-District:
> 
> P.O. Box 71188, Eugene, OR 97401
> 
> (503) 986-1411 * rep.philbarnhart@state.or.us
> <mailto:rep.philbarnhart@state.or.us  *
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/barnhart/home.htm
> 
> 
> 
>