Re: [Opencd-devel] SUBMISSION: Sample Corporate Letter

[David I. <ill...@bi...>]

Comments inlined

On Sat, 2002-05-04 at 18:33, Andrew J Boncek wrote:
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> Thought I would offer up this very draft Sample Corporate Letter.  I trie=
d
> to formulate some items that a typical IT manager at a corporation would
> be concerned about or a CIO in general.  Comments appreciated.
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> -Andy
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> DRAFT
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> Sample Corporate Letter to Corporations about OpenCD
> (Draft by: an...@bo...)
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> Executive Overview
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> Many corporations around the globe are realizing the power of open
> source software and are merging free software applications into their
> proprietary IT networks.  Additionally, open source operating systems,
> including Linux, OpenBSD, and FreeBSD, are being used in a number of
> corporate information systems for web services, information security, and
> a variety of other server tasks.  While open source operating systems are
> quickly being adopted in the server market, the penetration of open sourc=
e
> operating systems and software is minimal at the user=92s desktop.  OpenC=
D
> brings the power and advantages of zero fee licenses and professional
> quality, secure software to the typical corporate user.  The general
> absence of such an effort has somewhat slowed the widespread adoption of
> free software in the enterprise and has additionally made such wide scale
> adoption difficult to manage. OpenCD will provide an avenue for
> corporations to deploy software usable on current existing proprietary
[di] remove the proprietary - here and all the way through. Its just a
euphemism for windows and make it look like you're bitter about it -
maybe this could become ... deploy open software on platforms currently
in use.
> operating systems.
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> Brief Overview of the OpenCD Project
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> The OpenCD Project is a single distribution of selected open source
> software that is proven to work on proprietary operating systems.  The
> potential savings for IT departments can be staggering and can
> significantly reduce the outlays for recurrent licensing structures and
> support needs.  As IT departments are learning from current proprietary
> software support structures, the additional fees to add additional users,
> keep support for patches current, and other long term financial outlays
> can reduce the overall potential to upgrade to the latest software.
> OpenCD can be a professional quality installation with support built-in
> through the open source software community support structure with no
> additional costs.
[di] All in all, I think you may be making too much of the support
thing. Truthfully there is no support from anyone for the software we
give away free more than simply phoning up your geek cousin and asking
them or maybe the OSS developers if they have time.
> As stated from the Project=92s description, OpenCD uses the following
> criteria for the distribution:
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> 1.	A selection of high-quality open source software for proprietary
> operating systems.
> 2.	No licensing fees.  The project is composed entirely of open
> source free software.
> 3.	OpenCD contains many useful mainstream applications such as office
> productivity applications and other workflow software that extends the
> enterprise.
> 4.	The project uses professional quality installation methods.  In
> addition, the project provides the potential for easy, centrally managed
> software distribution and revocation.
[di] erm... it does? none of the proposed installers have anything near
this level of functionality. while I would support it, claiming it at
this early point is getting massively ahead of ourselves.
> 5.	A professional quality uninstall: The software can be safely
> removed or upgraded from corporate computing systems.
[di] ok, a good thing to claim, we just need to make sure its true and
if it isn't, we need to supplement the programs distributed so they can
be uninstalled.
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> The above criteria allows for a high degree of quality control for the
> distribution.  The CD uses entirely open source standards for software
> development of the interfaces and installations and keeps the exists free
> licensing structure intact.  In addition, the OpenCD criteria is openly
> published and can empower the IT department with the ability to present
> the distribution to management with professional quality standards. OpenC=
D
> can ensure the proper and central adoption of high-quality open source
> software.
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> Advantages of the OpenCD Distribution
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> OpenCD presents the corporate enterprise with a central adoption strategy
> for integrating free software into existing operating systems.  For IT
> departments, the challenge to present open source operating systems on th=
e
> desktop has been difficult.  Corporations have driven the proprietary
> operating system application development due to a centrally dominated
> market.  With the rising availability of global software development
> collaboration through the Internet, better quality open source office
> applications, multimedia, and Internet programs on proprietary operating
> systems are on the rise and are currently being deployed in small scale I=
T
> efforts.  OpenCD brings these applications to the enterprise with little
> cost to the corporation.
> The strength of the open source community in providing exceptional
> security is widely recognized.  OpenCD takes advantage of open source
> projects that for example utilize code review practices, adopt
> international security guidelines, By its very nature, the open
> availability of the application code has greatly enhanced the security of
> these applications=85.
> Additionally, OpenCD provides IT managers with an easy system for
> inventory tracking of open software in use.  In addition, it allows for
> the potential to track the use and impact of open source software in the
> corporation, thereby enabling the =85
[di] hmm. sounds cool :-)
> The OpenCD project uses a regular release schedule that allows IT
> departments a predictable timeframe to deploy open source software.  With
> one CD distribution in use, the IT departments can do central integration
> testing, manage updates to the system, and prepare new systems for the
> next release.  In the current open source environment, it is difficult fo=
r
> an IT department to properly manage and track updates of open source
> software.  OpenCD provides this in the predictability and stability of a
> release schedule.
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> Possible Concerns for the Corporate Network
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> As many IT managers have come to realize in the past few years,
> most current open source software in the IT infrastructure is =93making i=
t
> in through the back door=94 (similar to the appearance of PDAs).  OpenCD
> allows for IT departments to =93control=94 the propagation of the softwar=
e
> throughout the enterprise by distributing the software from the
> department. The distribution can be safely and statically distributed to
> user support groups for training and technical support activities.
> (Additions=85)
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> Conclusion
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> The OpenCD Project provides the corporate infrastructure with a
> wide array of central distribution advantages and extends the capabilitie=
s
> current and future IT systems.  The clear advantages of no-cost, high-
> quality software is being realized by corporations globally, and OpenCD
> continues these advantages through centrally evaluated software for use o=
n
> existing corporate operating systems.  In addition, the project
> specifically enables the general corporate user but still allows the
> software distribution process to be managed by the resident IT
> departments.

In general I like it, but:
1. Need a bit about what open source etc means. while you may be able to
recite the GPL word for word, most people only have what billg says and
that isn't entirely reliable all the time.
2. Some of this sounds a bit ambitious. While I'm all in favour of it,
we need to be sound in our claims. If a manager handed me a CD and this
letter and asked if it were true, if it wasn't all true i.e. the
centrally managed software bit etc, I'd have to tell them that and the
CD would probably be chucked by the manager
3. Conceivably stability could be sold a bit more. i.e. we won't upgrade
software to a less stable version, you don't have to upgrade etc, etc

Just a few comments. In general it sounds like a really good idea and
with a little refinement it will be great.


David Illsleu