Dear Friends, What I understand from discussion is that: 1. An Educator needs Software that can be taught. 2. A Librarian needs Software that works. Open Source Softwares (OSS) can serve the needs of both Educators and Librarians alike. I have not seen any fundamental opposition to the concept of Open Source Softwares (OSS) in the discussion. Even those initiatives, where softwares are available for some fee, are trying to make them more affordable and even as OSS in future. Educators can straight way start with OSS without being dependent on any financial support or charity. True, Librarians are not supposed to be Programmers, but they are supposed to take informed decisions as what to implement in their libraries. If they do not have adequate financial support or other resources, they have no option but to either go for OSS solutions or continue do their work as they have been doing. However life is not so simple for those who have adequate financial and other resources. It is for them to make difficult choice between OSS solutions and Properiatary Softwares. OSS are better placed in terms of compliance to latest trends, best practices and standards. They can be easily adapted to local needs if required. They are best supported by active user community. If there is any Myth about the OSS, it is that - 'No one is there to support you with your OSS based solutions and you have to depend on voluntary help from others'. This is totally incorrect nowadays. There are many vendors who charge for their support to OSS. For example LibLime http://liblime.com/ can help you with KOHA and Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management can help you with NewGenLib. So, if you have money, buy paid support service for your OSS based solution. The general Open Source Vs Properiatary Softwares debate could be un-ending. Many of such debates can be accessed with a simple google search. There is lot of competing interests involved in this whole issue of Open Source Vs Properiatary Softwares. If we are keen observers, we will notice that the general trend is towards more Openness and Collaboration. So, I maintain - Future is Open. You decide where you want to invest. --Sukhdev Singh, NIC. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.