Open Source-a-me: the Potential Benefits of Ubuntu for the Public Library

Ubuntu is a free, open-source, Linux-based operating system. It is based on the Debian Linux project’s architecture, but unlike Debian it has “regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release” (ubuntu.com). It has several aspects that would make it advantageous for adoption by the public library, such as cost, flexibility, and freedom from dependence on one corporate vendor. While it may take time to transition from a Windows-based system, it is certainly worth it to do so – not only because it would greatly benefit the library itself, but also because it would further encourage diversity and innovation in the software development field that is currently being stifled by the domination of one company. In addition, the precedent of using open-source software in public institutions has already been set by several local governments, from Massachusetts to Munich, and it would be useful to consider the experiences of these other public bodies when determining Ubuntu’s potential benefit to the public library.

Perhaps the biggest and most obvious benefit of a public institution switching from traditional proprietary software is in cost. Using free software releases public institutions from the need to pay thousands of dollars in licensing fees and other costs associated with organizational purchases of software such as Microsoft’s. Public libraries must always be conscious of their costs, and by reducing the amount they pay to private companies they can keep more money in the public sector, increasing the level of service they provide and thus overall improving their profile in the public eye. Of course, these savings could be partially offset by the costs of qualified Linux engineers (which will inevitably be higher), but this is something the library will have to consider.

Regardless, however, open formats have the additional benefit of keeping public records public. When discussing his state’s decision to use only OpenDocument and PDF formats in government systems, Eric Kriss, Secretary of Administration & Finance in Massachusetts, said that, “It is an overriding imperative of the American democratic system that we cannot have our public documents locked up in some kind of proprietary format, perhaps unreadable in the future, or subject to a proprietary system license that restricts access” (www.mass.gov). While the records held by a state government will not be exactly the same as those held by a library, it is important to keep in mind that dependence on private companies weakens the public institutions that are supposed to be looking out for the public’s interests. Thus, the use of open-source software based on some sort of standard creates independence for the library without sacrificing compatibility with other organizations’ systems.

Beyond external considerations such as cost and independence from vendors, Ubuntu has several inherent characteristics that make it potentially beneficial for public libraries to use. For example, Ubuntu comes with several applications, including a word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software suite called OpenOffice, which is open-source software as well and yet compatible with Microsoft’s Office suite. Libraries using a Ubuntu OS would therefore be able to save on their technology costs but still offer all of the same services for business and personal needs as they do now. They would not have to sacrifice quality for price.

Ubuntu also offers quality translations in several languages. As public libraries are often of central in communities with large immigrant populations, having the possibility to set one or more terminals aside to be setup in one of the other languages of the community could be of great benefit to the library’s users. It could alleviate the technological transition by first easing the cultural transition many immigrants face.

When considering the conversion to an open-source operating system there is, of course, the issue of support. It is important to remember that Ubuntu offers two types of support offered – free and paid. With Ubuntu you not only get a new operating system but also an entire community of people, many of whom offer their services free of charge to assist other users of Ubuntu. These volunteers provide free technical support through the Ubuntu Documentation Project (which is their official help page), the Ubuntu IRC channel, mailing lists, web forums and the Ubuntu wiki. These all allow users to get direct, personal help with any technical problems they may have completely free from cost.

However, there is also the option of paid technical support through private companies such as Canonical Limited. This is a company that provides broad support to companies using Ubuntu, but they do offer direct, individual support as well. Ubuntu by default includes support for certain of its components, but it is important for the user (whether an individual or organization) to remember that the option for sustained support does exist and that public libraries are not on their own just because they have chosen open-source software.

Choosing Ubuntu over proprietary systems such as Microsoft allows institutions such as the public library to lower their costs without having to risk poor quality technological services. It has been done before so a public library system choosing to do so would be able to learn from the experiences of others before braving such a considerable transition. It is interesting to note that some of the strongest opposition to the Massachusetts’ decision was in an article by James Prendergrast of Americans for Technology Leadership, written for foxnews.com. In a follow-up statement foxnews.com revealed that Microsoft was actually a co-founder of the ATL, seriously undermining Prendergast’s case against the use of open-source software. As Bernd Plank, a spokesman for the City of Munich, said after his city decided to unload Microsoft in favour of open-source products for the city administration’s 14,000 computers, open-source software gives them lower procurement costs and a higher degree of vendor independence, which encourages greater competition in the software market (PCWorld). Using open-source software not only benefits the organization using it, but actually encourages further innovation and diversity and so serves to benefit the software industry at large.

Sources:
Informal comments on Open Formats
Eric Kriss, Secretary, Administration & Finance
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov/eoaf/open_formats_comments.html

Massachusetts set to switch off Microsoft
By Richard Waters in San Francisco
Published: August 31 2005 | Last updated: September 1 2005 http://news.ft.com/cms/s/80033a76-1a71-11da-b7f5-00000e2511c8.html
Munich Makes the Move to Linux: City government drops Windows in favor of open-source software
John Blau, IDG News Service
Friday, June 18, 2004
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116568,00.asp

Ubuntu homepage
http://www.ubuntu.com/

Your Mail: Open Debate About OpenDocument (follow-up to Prendergast’s commentary, with link to the original article)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172063,00.html