Dear All,
Software, both Open (OSS) and Closed Source (Commercial etc), are
updated in continuum. Developers keep on adding new features to them.
So, let us not target any particular product. May be developers are
working on non-existent features.
If I had to select an OSS product for my requirement, I will look for:
1. Does it provide features I need?
2. What is its Market Share?
[Larger the Better]
3. Are support groups helpful?
4. Is commercial support available?
[More the Better]
5. Do I have local resources [mainly manpower] to do customization / adaptation?
6. Does it run on my Technology Stack [Institutional Hardware /
Software Resources]?
[I would prefer to run it on LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, Perl / PHP) box]
7. Is it secure?
[Disclaimer: I am not associated with any OSS Product]
Regards,
Sukhdev Singh, NIC.
On Mon, May 23, 2011 at 2:10 PM, Mariyam Shipha
Dear Sir, This communication is regarding the following recent article.
Giri, Rabishankar and Sengar, DS (2011). Use of open source software in the learning resource centre of Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology: a case study, Annals of Library and Information Studies; Vol. 58, No.1; pg 41-48.
http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/11555
Mr. Giri was the resource person for giving the training on NewGenLib to our SAARC student batch in NISCAIR. He was very friendly and helpful to us to make us in understanding the functions and workings of NewGenLIb.
He mentioned some other drawbacks of NewGenlib in the class in addition to those mentioned in the article
Some of them are:
1.Management of Binding:
Suppose our library has given 1000 books in a lot to the binder. But the binder returned books after binding in two lots say 500 and 500, and submitted two bills. In NewGenlib, there is no provision to accommodate the two bills for one order.
2. No distinction between reported Loss and final weed out of books. i.e. Suppose in a stock verification, a book has been reported loss and latter it has been found. There has been no provision to get back the books for circulation catalogue once it is reported loss in the software.
3. Compatibility of data between the 2.1 version and the higher version. Especially in Patron circulation data.
4. Upgrading the PostgreSql from 8.0 to 8.3 onwards gives problems
5. Hardly any provision for Article indexing and so on
He showed us at least 12 difficulties in dealing with NewGenLib. While we are experimenting with NewGenLib in our Library, we have found all those are true.
My appeal is that professional must be sincere in presenting the information which will help in choosing the best OSS for our libraries. or Does being an Indian, professionals are promoting an OSS originated from India irrespective of its merit.?
Mariyam Maldives
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