Re: building the "next generation" library catalog

On Sep 1, 2006, "Birkin James Diana" wrote:
>
> I'm reminded though that too often in the realm of evaluating open-
> source software, decision-makers are presented with, or believe there
> are, two choices: using scarce in-house resources to implement an
> open-source solution, or going with a vendor to implement a
> proprietary solution.

Birkin,

I think you raise an excellent point. There is not necessarily a reason to
separate the two. People need to educate decision makers about these other
options - esp. as there are more and more of them including LibLime and
Indexdata. Open Source doesn't mean only community support anymore (if it
ever did). Personally, after reading stuff or hearing presentations (and
in once case talking to personally) leaders, of library automation
companies, I think you will see a shake up - including some of the vendors
jumping to a more open system (if not an open source system) and then
focusing on support - at least for the core ILS. There just is not enough
money to be made in developing the core ILS for the vendors to put a lot
of effort into it. However, if the systems were more open, they could make
money by selling support and premium products.

This weekend is a very important one for anyone that has hopes or an
interest in an open source ILS. The success or failure of Evergreen,
fairly  or not, is going to go a long way to having more Open Source
systems in the future, or for there to be a new barrier to others trying
it. I can just imagine an administrator somewhere saying to me "Georgia
tried it and they couldn't do it, so what makes you think you can?"