Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
15th August 2008, 12:15 PM
QGIS... my fave... and OziExplorer (for GPS stuff) a list of alternatives and opensource is available - but as you say, they need to be developed for free to allow people to use them for free.. modules, plugins the like.
I can't believe that Uo1 baffled you... his comments are always so clear :face-huh:
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2005
15th August 2008, 01:21 PM
Posted by BAJR Host:
Quote:quote:I can't believe that Uo1 baffled you... his comments are always so clear
Careful now Hosty - Mr Unit is immune to irony, so he is liable to think you mean it...
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
15th August 2008, 01:28 PM
I'm sorry I don't understand you
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2005
15th August 2008, 02:16 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by ShadowJack
It is one of the advantages of a large organisation like OA - they/we can allocate R&D time to projects like this, but, like everything else - it has to fit into a business model, in this case, reducing software licence/maintanence costs in the longer term (when you're looking at £80K+ for your AutoCAD licences - you want alternatives!)
It certainly is an advantage, that before the licencing rules on software change the bigger (charitable) organisations have built up the resources to change to open source software. Meanwhile the smaller, non-charitable, ones haven't had the opportunity.
Be nice to think that once there's a whole load of open source software out there everyone will be able operate at a comparible level - but of course they won't because only organisations large enough to have an IT department (or individuals who are already experts in its use) will have the know-how to use it as you can't get support built-in like you can with the purchased stuff. So it will be even less fair than it was before.
Of course, I don't really know anything about open source software so feel free to correct me.
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
15th August 2008, 02:43 PM
I've been using OpenOffice and Mozilla for a while now, and it is certainly better than the equivalent Microsoft apps. You don't get support built in (i.e. someone in India to ring up) but you can use web fora, etc to get answers for your queries...
Not all the charitable organisations are necessarily bigger, RedEarth. If OA (or anyone else) put some time into developing open source applications specific to archaeology, it will be of benefit of the whole archaeological community. I'm a big fan of open source.
I think a lot of it depends of having the time and inclination to learn a little about computers. I was once working for a company where I was suddenly the computer 'expert' because I was about 15 years younger than everyone else, and willing to read an instruction manual. One of the senior managers informed me that he didn't see the point of computers for anything apart from email and word processing.
Anyway, BAJR has a guide to software at
http://www.bajr.org/BAJRResources/Software.asp
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2004
15th August 2008, 02:43 PM
I'm actually quite optimistic about the future use and availablity (for all) of Open Source alts to the purchased software.
There's already quite a lot out there that doesn't require specialist knowledge to use. In case you haven't come across these before:
http://www.openoffice.org/
http://www.inkscape.org/index.php?lang=en
http://www.gvsig.gva.es/index.php?id=gvsig&L=2
http://www.gimp.org/
This list is almost endless....
The way Open Source works is that if you modify/enhance the code for an Open Source application - you then make that code available for all. Open source wouldn't survive otherwise. As for built-in support - most of the help I get (both for Open source and bought software) comes of the numerous forums/user groups that are out there. It's only for the really obscure specialist software that I sometimes have to go directly to the software engineers.
Maybe it comes down to individuals and their own personal ethos - I've never had any problems sharing knowledge/giving guidance on software/hardware to others outside my own unit - even competitors.
ShadowJack
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2004
15th August 2008, 03:20 PM
The list is indeed endless and ever changing!
must think of a way to make my list more... interactive... so much to do!!!
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2005
15th August 2008, 04:58 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by ShadowJack
I'm actually quite optimistic about the future use and availablity (for all) of Open Source alts to the purchased software.
There's already quite a lot out there that doesn't require specialist knowledge to use.
Maybe it comes down to individuals and their own personal ethos - I've never had any problems sharing knowledge/giving guidance on software/hardware to others outside my own unit - even competitors.
ShadowJack
I'm also hopeful about the future re open source software, but realistic enough to know that many individuals or organisations are going to struggle to keep up. I would much prefer to have it rather than blinkin Microsoft but to change everything is quite daunting without the benefit of someone who knows what they are doing. My point is that in having had the advantage with discount 'over the counter software' certain large charitable organisations are now able to exploit it further having become established enough to have proper IT departments and convert to open source, which is, I understand, '100% discounted'! Smaller organisations without the initial advantage are always going to be 2 or 3 steps behind, through no fault of their own.
At the end of the day, and getting slightly back on topic, any advantage had by units in the early days (being associated with a council/university (where that is an advantage), discounted software, being in the same building as the local HER, etc, are going to be magnified over time. This ultimately affects opportunities, the ability to operate under similar conditions and therefore such things as pay, conditions, pensions, which cannot be dealt with in a similar way across the board. Or is that reading too much into it? It's Friday aand I'm tired.
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2004
15th August 2008, 06:09 PM
RedEarth....
There's a lot of truth in what you say.
But - what do we do about it?
In the past I worked for another organisation which although not linked to a local authority had similar access to pay, pensions, IT etc through university connections. But decisions made at management level meant that not all staff were given pensions, training, etc and IT developement was non-existant.
If there is no vision at the upper levels or a willingness to fund development work internally - it doesn't matter how big/small a unit is or what connections/advantages it may have through historical settings - it will always be trying to play catch or calling foul on it's competitors.
ShadowJack
Posts: 0
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2005
15th August 2008, 06:31 PM
I am sure somebody will be eager to correct my misaprehension, but....doesn't Oxford Archaeology still hold the status of a 'local authority' unit as regards pension rights, transferal of service rights etc. I know I was suprised to see their name on a schedule of employers with local authority status a few years back, but maybe things have moved on since then.
My point is that of course if OAU is classed as a 'local authority employer, than former CamArch staff aint losing much (other than their connection to Cambs CC.....)
