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Winning through Microsoft.
(1348 Reads) Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 04:06 PMSubmit this to Free Software Daily!
Refusing to use non-GPL software in medicine is a great idea. Also not using ANY fossil fuels is a great idea. But just because you cannot ride your bike, everywhere, does not let one off the hook regarding environmental responsibility. You still have a moral duty to reduce your use of oil. The reasons are clear, oil enables all kinds of abuses, its not good for the environment, and finally its going to run out someday. If you cannot stop using oil, it still helps to reduce your dependence. Similarly, if you cannot realistically refuse to use non-GPL or non-FOSS medical software, one should still try to loosen the grip of proprietary medical software generally. Here is a list of things to try.
- For your next HL7 project, use Mirth. Its really good and its FOSS
- IF you must buy a proprietary EHR system, then fund a FOSS EHR anyways.
- Pick your battles, do not try to get GNU/Linux on the desktop, instead use a FOSS EHR through Windows.
- Refuse to use optional proprietary services, like HealthVault. Make it clear, publicly, that you are doing this because of the license.
- Be patient with us. FOSS activist, like me, are trying to create compelling GPL and FOSS alternatives. If you can... wait for it.
Please contact me through FredTrotter.com if you have more ideas about how to use moral compromises to move the GPL Medical Software movement forward.
