... "Our own research, however, has concluded that open source software exposes users to significant and unnecessary business risk, as the security is often overlooked, making users more vulnerable to security breaches," said Fortify vice president, Richard Kirk.
"That's not to say that commercial software isn't without risks, but any flaws on commercial applications tend to get patched a lot faster than on open source, as the vendors producing the software have a lot more to lose than an open source programmer," ...
http://www.techworld.com/applications/news/index.cfm?newsid=110478&pagtype=all
found in /. http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/02/05/2349240
And... surprise, surprise... Fortify sell closed-source software. So, he would say that wouldn't he? 
He probably has a point for a lot of OS projects. However, it's generalising and that's rarely helpful.
I would be interested to know if Apache, for example, has had more security issues than IIS. I think that's a no brainer though.
EDIT:
Interestingly reading their, ahem, research they tested 11 Java projects. I'm sure that was entirely representative and statistically significant. I do think it's important to evangelise better security in OS projects but not like this.
He probably has a point for a lot of OS projects. However, it's generalising and that's rarely helpful.
I would be interested to know if Apache, for example, has had more security issues than IIS. I think that's a no brainer though.
EDIT:
Interestingly reading their, ahem, research they tested 11 Java projects. I'm sure that was entirely representative and statistically significant. I do think it's important to evangelise better security in OS projects but not like this.
Moodle came in for some criticism in the TES last Friday, despite Martin's (and my) attempts to encourage updating.
A few further thoughts over at the (quite) new opensourceschools.org.uk site.
We'd be delighted to have a few more Moodle (or any other open source) case studies of use in school, as well as forum contributions, news stories, longer articles etc.
A few further thoughts over at the (quite) new opensourceschools.org.uk site.
We'd be delighted to have a few more Moodle (or any other open source) case studies of use in school, as well as forum contributions, news stories, longer articles etc.
At least not for UK
The UK Government has said it will accelerate the use of open source software in public services.
UK Government backs open source
-------------------------------
Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software like Windows.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7910110.stm
The UK Government has said it will accelerate the use of open source software in public services.
UK Government backs open source
-------------------------------
Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software like Windows.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7910110.stm
Really pleased to see this. 
The document itself is at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/123372/090224opensource.pdf
The tag #ukgovOSS is being used to track reactions across web2.0
A few of my own first impressions at http://opensourceschools.org.uk/level-playing-field-open-source-software.html
Miles.
The document itself is at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/123372/090224opensource.pdf
The tag #ukgovOSS is being used to track reactions across web2.0
A few of my own first impressions at http://opensourceschools.org.uk/level-playing-field-open-source-software.html
Miles.