Comments on: Procuring Software is not (even) as simple as buying a car

By: Mark Smallwood

Mark Smallwood — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:12:37 +0000

One of the biggest hindrances to giving pat recommendations is that different users have different requirements. Your example of Compiere is a great one. You found it useful for your needs, but that doesn’t mean that someone who requires a more specialized financial package will find it a good recommendation for them. Of course, you can always use the approach of “This is what I needed, what I used, and why it worked for me,” which is certainly helpful.

That said, I really appreciate your post because for me, the “Top Ten” types of posts are starting points, not decision points. Most software in the enterprise space, in particular, is too complex and generalized to allow yourself the luxury of picking a package from somebody else’s list, IMO. Recommendations can help, but there’s nothing like taking it out for a test drive and comparing it to others you’ve driven.

By: Ross Gardler

Ross Gardler — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:41:18 +0000

You make a good point Elena. I think my car analogy was not the most efficient. Another is when we consult a doctor. We are worried, we just want them to tell us what is wrong. They are unbiased, they are not trying to sell us anything.

However, much as we want an answer quickly we would rely on a doctor to tell us what they are sure of, not to hypothesise without the full information. We don’t want them to tell us we have cancer and start a course of chemotherapy unnecessarily. We expect them to wait until the test results are in and they are certain of the diagnosis. Then, and only then, do we want to go through the treatment process.

Doctors are the true unbiased advisors here, not the car salesman, the mechanic, the friend in the pub or What Car? magazine. OSS watch are the “doctors” of open source and we do not advise on a course of action until we are certain it is the right course of action.

By: Elena Blanco

Elena Blanco — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:08:19 +0000

It’s a fair argument but I do think you are missing one point. When we want to buy a car, one reason that we don’t ask someone to *tell* us what to buy is because we believe that everyone you mention (manufacturers, sales people etc) has a vested interest in recommending one car over another. When there is someone in a particular domain who is perceived as unbiased then we do quite often seek a specific recommendation. Gong with your car example I understand that the car chosen by “What car?” magazine as their “Car of the year” certainly does have an impact on sales. So I guess that if OSS Watch is perceived as unbiased then it is natural and understandable that people will want us to recommend specific solutions even when we know we are not in a position to do so.