[Python-Dev] FINAL PROPULSION OPEN SOURCE ENGINE VARIANT FORTHE F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER

[Paul Barrett]

The other benefit of the military using open source software is that
is can save the taxpayers money over the short and long term. For some
projects it is a small percentage of the total cost.  However, for
others it can be significant portion of the cost, so don't discount
its use or its benefit.  Saving time and money is a good thing.

Cheers,
Paul

On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 9:30 PM, Nick Coghlan<ncoghlan at gmail.com> wrote:
> Raymond Hettinger wrote:
>>
>> [Matthew Wilkes]
>>> Oh, I didn't mean they should use proprietary software, just that in
>>> my experience the kind of people who are active in open source are
>>> quite anti-war, green, etc.  There are notable exceptions, but I know
>>> people who worry that their work will have military applications, and
>>> who turn down projects because of it.
>>
>> I question the whole notion of using open source in military weapons.
>> It seems like a rather basic violation of operational security.  Perhaps
>> your enemies will exploit your bugs instead of nicely reporting them
>> and submitting patches on SourceForge ;-)
>
> As Guido said, even the military are aware that there are major problems
> with the idea of security through obscurity. Plus most defence forces
> around the world are just as interested in saving a few bucks on
> software costs as any other organisation, particularly if they can
> reduce their reliance on a foreign software vendor in the process.
>
> As to the existence of open source developers that are willing to work
> with the military... as Matthew said, while they may not be particularly
> common, I can definitely say that they're around ;)
>
> Cheers,
> Nick.
>
> --
> Nick Coghlan   |   ncoghlan at gmail.com   |   Brisbane, Australia
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