Open Source Initiative

The Watercooler of Open Source Technology on the Concordia Campus

Open Source at CSP?

The use of Open Source at CSP hasn’t exactly been a long standing tradition, but I say “It’s about time!”

While I’m not particularly involved in any Open Source projects, I have seen the benefits of using Open Source technology. I can see the benefits to CSP in terms of finances, innovation, and information exchange.

Here are some of the things that I would like to see implemented:

  • Move to an e-mail and calendaring system that actually supports open standards (unlike Microsoft Exchange) that will allow easier and more efficient information sharing.
  • Move from a 90% Windows Server environment to a 90% Linux or other Open Source server environment.
  • Move to an open standard for documents making it easier to share information.
  • Use open authentication standards for securing information such as OpenLDAP and OpenID.
  • Move all of our web servers to Apache and away from Microsoft’s IIS to put CSP in line with 80% of the web servers on the Internet.
  • Reduce CSP’s dependence on Microsoft and other expensive closed-source technologies.
  • Improve programming language skills (i.e. Python etc.) to allow CSP to fully participate and contribute in Open Source communities and projects.
  • Lastly CSP should take a positive stance toward and even generate policy supporting the use of Open Source technologies and initiatives, thus providing a “thoughtful, and informed” educational environment for all involved.

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