How to sell Python ( and OpenSoruce )

[Ray Loyzaga]

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.