[TriLUG] Can open source solutions be viable companies?

[Vestal, Roy L.]

BioInformatics is the study of biological information, such as DNA,
Genomics, and Endocrenology. It's the study of the biological functions of
the human body.

Currently, I'm working on a project that requires Oracle on Linux to produce
a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).  The concern that some of
the decision makers, not here but in the bioinformatics community, is that
Linux is just a "fad", or a passing try to replace Windows. What's being
asked for is documentation, specifically on RedHat, that shows it is a
viable server and desktop operating system, and that the development of open
source software doesn't mean that the a company isn't "here today gone
tomorrow". They are looking for documentation that shows Linux, A: can do
the job, and B: Is going to be a good investment for the future.

We all know the power and abilities of using Linux as an environment, but
they want to see that people that aren't "techy" can use it and be
productive as well.

-----Original Message-----
From: John F Davis [mailto:johndavi at us.ibm.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2002 8:54 AM
To: trilug at trilug.org
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] Can open source solutions be viable companies?



WTH is bioinformatics?

My first response is, sure Linux can do it.  But, really it depends upon
what they want to do?  So, what exactly do they want to do? If they want to
produce an output which is from a windows app and this particular app
doesn't work well in wine, then its a no brainer.

JD

"Vestal, Roy L." <rvestal at rti.org>@trilug.org on 06/28/2002 08:48:25 AM

Please respond to trilug at trilug.org

Sent by:    trilug-admin at trilug.org


To:    "Trilug-Triangle Linux Users Group (E-mail)" <trilug at trilug.org>
cc:
Subject:    [TriLUG] Can open source solutions be viable companies?



One of our project directors, a Linux supporter, asked me to ask the group,
specifically RedHat folks the following question. There is a big debate in
the bioinformatics community, which has been using Linux as a solution
because of cost more than anything. Now that bioinformatics are becoming
more "mainstream", better monies are coming in. Now they are starting to
look elsewhere. If we as a community can show how Linux is viable in this
emerging field, then maybe it will help show that Linux is viable.

Question to me:
"Do you have pointers to info on how open-source solutions can still be
viable companies.  There is a big debate in the bioinformatics community
about this, and I thought you might have some info."

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

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