Comments on: Mayor Sam Adams and the City of Portland to open source, open data, and transparency communities: Let’s make this official http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/ Covering the blossoming startup industry in Portland, Oregon, and the Silicon Forest Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:28:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Edwardo Loendorf http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-39443 Edwardo Loendorf Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:29:45 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-39443 I think his last name is spelled "Pearce."Report this comment as spam or abuse I think his last name is spelled “Pearce.”Report this comment as spam or abuse

]]> By: WHEREAS Portland loves open source: City of Portland declares Open Source in Government Week « Silicon Florist http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-20970 WHEREAS Portland loves open source: City of Portland declares Open Source in Government Week « Silicon Florist Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:51:53 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-20970 [...] fall, when the City of Portland adopted the nation’s first open source software policy, one of our goals was to help attract premier open source conferences to Portland,” said Portland [...] [...] fall, when the City of Portland adopted the nation’s first open source software policy, one of our goals was to help attract premier open source conferences to Portland,” said Portland [...]

]]> By: Portland open source, startups, and mobile… oh my! The all time top 30 posts on Silicon Florist (so far) « Silicon Florist http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-15369 Portland open source, startups, and mobile… oh my! The all time top 30 posts on Silicon Florist (so far) « Silicon Florist Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:13:27 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-15369 [...] Mayor Sam Adams and the City of Portland to open source, open data, and transparency communities: Le... [...] [...] Mayor Sam Adams and the City of Portland to open source, open data, and transparency communities: Le… [...]

]]> By: Top 10 Silicon Florist posts for October 2009 | Oregon Startup Blog http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-10989 Top 10 Silicon Florist posts for October 2009 | Oregon Startup Blog Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:42:16 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-10989 [...] Mayor Sam Adams and the City of Portland to open source, open data, and transparency communities: Le... [...] [...] Mayor Sam Adams and the City of Portland to open source, open data, and transparency communities: Le… [...]

]]> By: Robert http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-10524 Robert Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:21:06 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-10524 It is simple economics. After years of seeing hundreds of millions of dollars disappear across the border into Washington, a wise administration has decided it is far wiser to save money and what they do spend. invest it locally and develop their technological base. There is room at the table for any commercial company to supply, service and support open source product and, there is no room for companies that are just a dead end drain on the economy. It is always the companies choice whether they want to supply product based upon the stipulated non discriminatory contract conditions, open source, allows any company to bid for contracts. It is simple economics. After years of seeing hundreds of millions of dollars disappear across the border into Washington, a wise administration has decided it is far wiser to save money and what they do spend. invest it locally and develop their technological base. There is room at the table for any commercial company to supply, service and support open source product and, there is no room for companies that are just a dead end drain on the economy. It is always the companies choice whether they want to supply product based upon the stipulated non discriminatory contract conditions, open source, allows any company to bid for contracts.

]]> By: Jason Matusow http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-9925 Jason Matusow Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:23:11 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-9925 I want to echo what Jason Mauer wrote. I too am a Portland resident and MS employee. I spoke at the Council meeting today and made it very clear that Microsoft supports the move to greater openness of the data and collaboration with the community. Collaborative development has much to offer governments of all sizes. Moreover, their constituents will have unprecedented access to government data through these types of activities. There is nothing but goodness in that. I really appreciate Mark Lawler's comments above. My feeling is that government investments in ICT as a consumer are served best when their IT professionals can pick solution based on value-for-money, quality of technology, long-term viability, etc. Consideration for a given solution should be based on a neutral set of principles rather than under a policy mandate. For producers of software - they want the freedom to choose the model that makes sense for them as well. Most software providers now take a hybrid approach, and certainly all seek to collaborate with various communities. My $.02 - but I think the general direction of this resolution is good. As a PDX resident, I hope they are mindful to avoid procurement mandates. I want to echo what Jason Mauer wrote. I too am a Portland resident and MS employee. I spoke at the Council meeting today and made it very clear that Microsoft supports the move to greater openness of the data and collaboration with the community.

Collaborative development has much to offer governments of all sizes. Moreover, their constituents will have unprecedented access to government data through these types of activities. There is nothing but goodness in that.

I really appreciate Mark Lawler’s comments above. My feeling is that government investments in ICT as a consumer are served best when their IT professionals can pick solution based on value-for-money, quality of technology, long-term viability, etc. Consideration for a given solution should be based on a neutral set of principles rather than under a policy mandate.

For producers of software – they want the freedom to choose the model that makes sense for them as well. Most software providers now take a hybrid approach, and certainly all seek to collaborate with various communities.

My $.02 – but I think the general direction of this resolution is good. As a PDX resident, I hope they are mindful to avoid procurement mandates.

]]> By: Jason Mauer http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-9876 Jason Mauer Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:44:02 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-9876 As a Portland citizen and a Microsoftie, I agree 100% Rick. There's room at the table for everybody. As a Portland citizen and a Microsoftie, I agree 100% Rick. There’s room at the table for everybody.

]]> By: Rick Turoczy http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-9874 Rick Turoczy Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:35:04 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-9874 @Mark Maybe I'm biased, but I didn't read it as forcing the City to choose the open source solutions. I read it as the City should be giving open source solutions a fair chance when evaluating the needs of the City. At this point, I don't get the feeling that open source solutions/projects even have a seat at the table when it comes to making IT decisions. In other words, I'd like to see the City adopting your stance: the best technology for the job whether it's proprietary, open source, or some combination thereof. @Mark Maybe I’m biased, but I didn’t read it as forcing the City to choose the open source solutions. I read it as the City should be giving open source solutions a fair chance when evaluating the needs of the City.

At this point, I don’t get the feeling that open source solutions/projects even have a seat at the table when it comes to making IT decisions.

In other words, I’d like to see the City adopting your stance: the best technology for the job whether it’s proprietary, open source, or some combination thereof.

]]> By: Mark Lawler http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-9873 Mark Lawler Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:01:50 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-9873 I have very mixed feelings about this. I believe that business and IT decision makers should be empowered to make the best purchasing decision possible that align with business goals and empower their users to be more productive and to innovate. However, I don't believe in arbitrary constraints; I think IT should be free to choose what the best answer is vs. being told what that answer is. Don't get me wrong--we leverage dozens of open source libraries (non of which are copy-left) and am a big fan. That said as a commercial software vendor and SaaS provider I also value my IP and like my customers we do exist for an economic purpose. On a personal note I would hate to have a resolution or law in place that dictates the technology choices that I make every day; I am glad that I enjoy the freedom to pick and choose what makes the most sense for my business and my customers. In that regard, based on the problem at hand, I have had the freedom to choose Java, Microsoft, open source libraries, and commercial 3rd party libraries & products to build the best possible solutions for my customers. Conflicting choices? Not really--my goal is to accelerate innovation while delighting customers so they can focus on their business goals vs. the technology stack. The good news with technology is that it isn't a religion although some seem to try to make it so--you really can sample the best that each has to offer vs. picking a doctrine. I think everybody should enjoy that same freedom of choice. -Mark I have very mixed feelings about this. I believe that business and IT decision makers should be empowered to make the best purchasing decision possible that align with business goals and empower their users to be more productive and to innovate. However, I don’t believe in arbitrary constraints; I think IT should be free to choose what the best answer is vs. being told what that answer is. Don’t get me wrong–we leverage dozens of open source libraries (non of which are copy-left) and am a big fan. That said as a commercial software vendor and SaaS provider I also value my IP and like my customers we do exist for an economic purpose. On a personal note I would hate to have a resolution or law in place that dictates the technology choices that I make every day; I am glad that I enjoy the freedom to pick and choose what makes the most sense for my business and my customers. In that regard, based on the problem at hand, I have had the freedom to choose Java, Microsoft, open source libraries, and commercial 3rd party libraries & products to build the best possible solutions for my customers. Conflicting choices? Not really–my goal is to accelerate innovation while delighting customers so they can focus on their business goals vs. the technology stack. The good news with technology is that it isn’t a religion although some seem to try to make it so–you really can sample the best that each has to offer vs. picking a doctrine. I think everybody should enjoy that same freedom of choice.

-Mark

]]> By: Jason Mauer http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/28/city-portland-mayor-sam-adams-resolution-open-source-open-data-transparency-communities-official/comment-page-1/#comment-9844 Jason Mauer Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:56:36 +0000 http://siliconflorist.com/?p=4011#comment-9844 Rex, hate to burst your bubble, but Microsoft supports government open data efforts like these. They even have their own Open Government Data Initiative to encourage both governments and citizen developers to get on board. (more info at http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/opengovdata/default.aspx ) As far as open source software goes, I don't think Microsoft (or anyone else) has any qualms with having the option to choose, as this resolution is written. It's when mandates are made that REQUIRE purchasing one way or the other where things get out of whack. If an open source option is the best solution for a particular governmental need, so be it. Likewise for proprietary solutions. Many successful, local software/tech shops have proprietary offerings (WebTrends, MacAfee, CheckFree/Fiserv, etc). They would most likely agree that when it comes to a technology decision being made, we should consider all the options available. -j (your friendly neighborhood Microsoftie) Rex, hate to burst your bubble, but Microsoft supports government open data efforts like these. They even have their own Open Government Data Initiative to encourage both governments and citizen developers to get on board. (more info at http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/opengovdata/default.aspx )

As far as open source software goes, I don’t think Microsoft (or anyone else) has any qualms with having the option to choose, as this resolution is written. It’s when mandates are made that REQUIRE purchasing one way or the other where things get out of whack.

If an open source option is the best solution for a particular governmental need, so be it. Likewise for proprietary solutions. Many successful, local software/tech shops have proprietary offerings (WebTrends, MacAfee, CheckFree/Fiserv, etc). They would most likely agree that when it comes to a technology decision being made, we should consider all the options available.

-j (your friendly neighborhood Microsoftie)

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