How to sell Python ( and OpenSoruce )

[Ken Seehof]

If anyone has questions about the quality and quantity of technical support for
Open Source software, drag them by the ear to this newsgroup and show them some
examples of multiple high quality responses in under an hour, 24 hours a day, 365
days a year!

In many closed-source companies, technical support is a major expense, and that
expense must be kept under control.  As a result, tech support reps are often
underpaid trainees.  One of the major benefits of going Open Source is that you
get lots of high quality support engineers working for you for free!

Ray Loyzaga wrote:

> Thomas Weholt wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I want to convince alot of my co-workers that OpenSource software,
> > especially Python, is ready for big business. ( is it ?! )
> >
> > How do I sell an OpenSource solution like Python to hardheaded
> > closedsource-fanatics? I know they care about money, so that would be
> > my best angle. If anybody has any good examples of companies using
> > Python, or similar technology, with profit, that would be great.
>
> Having been involved in several Python based Online share trading systems for
> banks I have had quite a deal of experience in these sorts of "debates".
> The interesting thing that emerged under any serious questioning is
> how appalling their experiences have been with commercially bought
> and supported software. They all look towards the OpenSource software
> with great disdain, and argue that support is non-existent, however
> when you ask about software they have paid for, they frequently
> tell of documented "features" that they expected to use during the
> project that never worked. And this is over many years, they then
> address this by buying another package which purports to solve
> these issues. At this point when you mention that the great support
> that they should expect in commercial software doesn't seem to amount
> to much, they start making excuses for the manufacturer ... really
> weird!
>
> By way of example, we managed to use Python/Linux/MySQL with a very
> conservative international bank and after a year of 7x growth, no
> problems have emerged with the solution. The bank initially developed
> with MS SQLserver, but it never worked so we swapped it out to a MySQL
> system in the last few weeks of the project (since we were using Python,
> we had enough time up our sleeves to help their side of the
> project too!)
> >
> > To be more exact :
> >
> > My mission is to swap expensive, oversized databases solutions like MS
> > SQL 7.0 with PostgreSQL 7.0, crappy inconsistent script-languages like
> > VBScript with Python and MS SiteServer / IIS with Zope, Linux with
> > Windows  2000/ NT 4.0. I argue that the load on the system will never
> > be to great for PostgreSQL to handle as supposed to MS SQL-server,
> > VBScript, it sucks and they agree to that, Linux instead of Windows
> > will save lots of cash, so will the "reduced" cost of PostgreSQL
> > instead of MS SQL 7.0.
> >
> > The scenario above is normal in my experience, and I`d appreciate any
> > feedback from people with similar ideas. Related Case-studies would
> > also help alot.
> >
> > The thing is that these people don`t thrust OpenSource. They laugh at
> > script-languages in general, and the idea of sharing code is even more
> > stupid.
>
> An alternative is to get your Visa in order and move to a new employer
> that knows a good thing ... we are always looking ...
>
> They can laugh at Python all they like, I prefer it that way, but in
> a competitive environment we have been able to produce highly maintainable
> mission critical system in an order of magnitude less time with
> fewer errors in a very compressed development timeframe. I consider
> it to be a very serious competitive advantage, so caught in two minds
> as to whether educating companies such as these as to the merits of
> Python and OpenSource tools.
>
> >
> > The growth of OpenSource, Python, Linux etc. depends on how well it
> > can be a suitable substitution for ClosedSource-alternatives. A more
> > agressive form of propaganda, showing off successful solutions, WITH
> > benchmarks, results of stress-tests etc. is vital. Right now there are
> > alot of talk about how great Python are, but few actual test of how
> > well Python performes under pressure, and not just Python alone, but
> > in a more complex environment, like in Zope or using Python as
> > interface to a RDBMS.
> >
> > I need selling points for OpenSource, the idea and philosophy,
> > examples of successful technology and eh .. moral support. I feel like
> > I`m in the lions den right now. ( " Think of a happy place. Calm blue
> > ocean, calm blue ocean ..." )
> >
> > I truly love Python and would like to see it get the credit it
> > deserves.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Thomas Weholt
>
> See www.hsbcinvestdirect.com.au and www.quicktrade.com.au for examples
> of full Python share trading systems, and a few more to follow soon ...
> Total lines of code including charting and full failover redundant servers
> (done at the application level) 3200, simple enough for even a bank to
> maintain.

--
Ken Seehof
kens at sightreader.com
starship.python.net/crew/seehof
Hi! I'm a .signature virus! copy me into your .signature file to help me spread!

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