IBM sends me an invitation, mentions the magic words: Linux, open source... On an eGovernment perspective.
So, of course, I want to go and hear what they have to say. It was yesterday... I was disappointed.
But I get ahead of myself. First off, the invite. A few paragraphs (that include the magic words), but no agenda. The speakers weren't listed. Am I supposed to just thrust IBM to make it worth my day? But, the magic words are compelling...
When I get to the event, it's literally swarming with IBM employees, good... But most seemed to be English speaking Americans, not so good. The speakers? American higher-ups that have no-connection with what we are doing.
So what do I get? Marketing pitch for IBM's hardware. Assurance that IBM's Lenovo deal won't hurt the PC Division hardware quality... Stuff that I can read in eWeek for free on the net.
If only one of the presentations had tackled ONE successful project where Linux or Open Source was key for success, even if the fact was briefly mentioned... I think I would have been happy with that. Don't get me wrong, plenty of projects from various places and governments around the world were mentioned, but no clear methodology for their success was discernible. No mention on how IBM leveraged Open Source in those projects.
One of the presentations had the date on the first slide: July 27, 2004.
All the IBM hardware that I saw, was running Windows.
I think all the presentations used PowerPoint...
And they had the gall to bash on Microsoft.
I left early, I actually preferred to return to work and try to make the best of my day.
The information soldier is distressed...
