How to sell Python ( and OpenSoruce )

[Harry G. George]

Is it ready for prime time?  It is good enough to do useful, serious
glueware tasks and cgi's in-house.  I can't speak to heavy-duty,
externally-visible stuff.

As noted by others, see 
  http://www.opensource.org/

Additional comments:

We have recently approved a company-wide "toolkit" of OpenSource
libraries and apps.  The cost-benefit argument was that a common base
of tools simplifies infrastructure, cross-training, and in-house
consulting.  Further, by authorizing the toolkit as a unified package,
we get order-of-magnitude reduction in authorization paperwork and we
get reduced variation in processes.

Since we already had Perl and Java bundles (external to the OpenSource
toolkit), I added Python (with a good selection of add-ons) to the new
toolkit.  Initially mgmt was worried we were adding yet another
language to a complex mix (they just recently grappled with C-->Java
and shell scripts-->perl).  However, a few projects done "on spec"
made it obvious python was a significant player.  High-visibility
glueware tasks (e.g., XML interfaces among engineering tools) made the
case.

For the toolkit as a whole, we originally targeted UNIX boxes, but it
was such a success mgmt is considering extending to cover WinNT.  That
is, the same libraries and tools would be available on all our
development platforms.  With that of course goes python.

We did *not* push for Linux at this time.  Linux is a hot-button here.
If it is in your shop as well, concentrate on the financial case for
OpenSource.  Once that is established, Linux is simply a
faster/better/cheaper way to provide the tools.

One more point: It was crucial to make clear that we were
supplementing existing infrastructure (read "political turf"), not
attacking it head-on.  We will simply demonstrate ability to do
more/better/faster, and adjust the next budget cycle on that basis.


thomas at cintra.no (Thomas Weholt) writes:

> 
> 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. 
> 
> 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. 
> 
> 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 environmet, 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

-- 
Harry George                E-mail:  harry.g.george at boeing.com 
The Boeing Company          Renton:  (425) 237-6915 
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