Open Source, Un-American

I’ve said in several blog posts that I’m a huge fan of Open Source apps, but the bill introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia on April 24 to fast track open-source electronic records, is not a good idea. Not that the use of Open Source code is bad, but to nudge everyone into using Open Source code is not the answer. The benefits outlined for using Open Source code is right on the money, but capitalism is still king in the American marketplace. To force an Open Source solution seems inherently, un-American. All the government needs to do is define the standards and then let the providers choose which vendor and/or application to implement those standards. Read more..

The only thing that’s more ridiculous than this is the legislation introduced by Rep. Joe Barton of Texas that would prevent the NCAA from calling a game a national championship unless it’s the outcome of a playoff. As much as I would like to see a NCAA football playoff, I’m sure the country has more pressing matters to be concerned with.