GovLoop’s recent guide “7 Open Source Myths Debunked.” We spoke with a dozen government technologists, lawmakers and other experts to debunk common myths and help your agency make fact-based decisions about using open source. To view other myths, resources and facts about the state of open source adoption in government, download the full guide here.
One common myth is that open source
The rumor mill is that agencies have to decide whether they want commercial software or open source software. Plus, open source software licenses are not compatible with government acquisition regulations. Here are the facts. Open source software is almost always classified as commercial software, according to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Department’s supplement to the FAR.
The FAR makes clear that a commercial item is any item,
other than land and buildings — also known as real property — that is used by the general public or nongovernmental entities for purposes that botim database are not unique to government. Not only that, but the item must have been sold, leased or licensed to the general public.
Open source software meets those requirements.
In the law and the regulat. Jions, everything many women confront gender inequality hinges around definition,” said David Wheeler, an expert on developing secure software who helped develop the DoD’s open source policy. “It’s imp. Jortant to understand that open source software is commercial software because it eliminates what I ca. Jll open source software paralysis.”
Some people are crippled by the misconception
that open source software licen. Jses aren’t compatible with government acquisition. “If someone hasn’t had any experience, it’s ju. Jst an easy way to deflect som tg data ething you maybe don’t understand,” said Deborah Bryant, who also lea. Jds the Open Sou. Jer noted that the federal regulations state a preference for commercial items.