Joshua Allen Holm
Authored Comments
My "elevator pitch" usually involves suggesting a particular open source program that could fill a user's need or replace what they are using now. I don't pitch "open source" per se, I pitch programs that happen to be open source. I frequently run into people who are still using the shareware file archiver, ftp client, etc., that they were first introduced to years ago, when they needed a piece of software to fill their needs. The vast majority of the time, they have never bothered to register the shareware and just put up with the nag screens. By suggesting that they use <a href="http://www.7-zip.org">7-Zip</a> or <a href="http://filezilla-project.org/">FileZilla</a> (to give two examples) instead, I can provide them with software that doesn't nag them to register/purchase, while usually doing the exact same thing as the program being replaced. I get to talk to them a little about the benefits of open source without getting overly technical or overly philosophical. The user gets a program that they can use, which doesn't nag them to register, and they learn a little about the open source way. It is baby steps really, but most of the people I'm working are end users with rather basic needs. I'm not in the position right now to try to sell <a href="http://www.moodle.org">Moodle</a> vs. <a href="http://www.blackboard.com/">Blackboard</a>, or <a href="http://www.koha-community.org/">Koha</a> (or <a href="http://www.open-ils.org">Evergreen</a>) vs. one of the closed source ILS options.
First, I have to say that I absolutely love the smiley face Venn diagram image.
It is great to see that the open source job market is seeing an increase. I'm about ready to 'cry uncle' in my attempt to find a career in higher ed (mostly due to the serious lack of alacrity in the application/interview process), so I know where I'll be looking.
Really disappointing to hear about The H having to shut down. It is always sad when a quality site stops producing content. Though, it is super nice of them to work on creating on archive to keep the site's content available. Best of luck to The H's staff in their future endeavors.
In other news, it is <a href="http://sysadminday.com/">System Administrator Appreciation Day</a> today. So thanks to all the SysAdmins out there.