Two interesting stories I read today that seem to point to a growing trend - open source software is loosening the tight grip that proprietary software vendors have over customers' wallets and data.
1.) Barrons: ORCL: Credit Suisse Sees Q3 License Revs Missing Ests
2.) Computerworld: Microsoft slashes software leasing prices in bid to keep cash-strapped corporate customers
Oddly, neither article discusses whether or not open source software plays a role in these stories, but I have no doubt that it does. A big role. Customers realize they have a better alternative. Supported, standards-based open source software is enterprise ready, lower cost, more secure and much easier to procure.
Here is a list of a few proprietary software products, and their open source alternatives. Click on the name of the open source product to visit their site and download for free.
Type Proprietary Open Source
1.) Productivity Suite: Microsoft Office / OpenOffice
2.) Operating System: Windows / OpenSolaris
3.) Database: Oracle / MySQL (community)
4.) Virtualization: Parallels / VirtualBox
5.) Application Server: WebLogic / GlassFish
