[sclug] AWM set to spend £4.5m on 'open source' software

[David Ginger]

The enclosed extract is from the Coventry Evening Telegraph - Tuesday June 3rd
 
    "AWM set to spend ?4.5m on 'open source' software."
 
    Regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands, is to spend more 
than ?4.5 million to help local businesses benefit from "open source 
software".
 
    Unlike traditional closed source software, such as Microsoft Windows, 
users of open source software have the right to modify software to suit their 
needs and share this information for the benefit of others. This can often 
result in better quality, more reliable software that costs less and improves 
security and efficiency.
 
    AWMs chief executive, John Edwards, said: "Small businesses want low cost, 
long-term flexibility right now.  They want opportunities to enter markets 
and low barriers to entry.  Open Source Software can help with this."
 
    He said that the scheme would help innovative small and medium sized 
enterprises take advantage of open source software development projects. 
"They can pick up and develop new technologies or business methods from them. 
Other businesses may simply want to use software, not develop it. Help in 
gaining knowledge, training and technical help is all they need and want"
 
It seems that the message is begining to get through!!