The best of software in the worst of times

Harsh economic times have forced upon us a "bare bones" approach to many of the decisions that affect our livelihood and endeavors. As a technology advocate, I oftentimes find myself cringing when I hear decision makers turning a deaf ear to one of the best sides of computer technology, the abundant and crystalline fountain of Open Source Software. For the uninitiated, software programs are computer code that has been compiled from human-readable source code into binary code, the language computers understand. Companies in the business of selling software (e.g. Microsoft, Adobe, etc) remove the readable source code from their packaging, and sell only the compiled application, forcing a culture of binary consumers with no access to the source. So what distinguishes Open Source from Proprietary Software is that for every binary Open Source application, the source code is also available for study and, if needed, improvement and modification. What this means in the real world is that for every store product, say MS Office or Photoshop, there is an Open Source (and free) counterpart. In the case of Office it is OpenOffice, an application that comes with a license that even allows you to share it legally. For Photoshop enthusiasts, GIMP is free. See OSLIVING.COM for many other examples.

So in these worst of times, we see companies and organizations cutting back and laying off workers whose skills could actually save them thousands of dollars. Instead of directing their ever shrinking funds into viable alternatives, I see illogical spending on the old mantra "buy and do whatever our time-proven vendors tell us". I see a misguided bare-bone mentality prevailing. So instead of greener monitors and smaller, more energy efficient computers run by employees who understand alternative open source operating systems, decisions are still made to cyclically spend large amounts of money for licenses and upgrades. Some smart organizations are, however, looking at the real basics of computer technology, and using free and Open Source Linux as their desktop and server operating system. They have found that encouraging their employees to use Open Source Software is a good business practice . Companies such as Conoco, CISCO, Google, Mobil, Panasonic, Shell, Toyota USA and organizations like the Government of Mexico City, the US Army and the US Postal Service have embraced Linux. The truth of the matter is that the Internet and other "backbone" network systems run overwhelmingly on Linux servers. The emergence of Linux in the desktop, however, has been slower. With no cost or licensing fees to pay, the savings can add up very quickly and very dramatically. The customers, young minds in the case of schools, have no problem making the adjustments to Linux - Seems like only decision makers who fear change and questions are opposed to the inevitable - the Open Source sharing of computer technology resources for the common good.

When "tightening our belts" becomes necessary due to budget cuts, it is heartening to know that there are viable options to expensive software technology.

Alan A Hodson a retiree from EPISD consults via HodsonDTS.org. You can reach him at aahodson@gmail.com

50 Open Source Replacements for Popular Financial Software

Whether you just want to balance your checkbook or you need to track the finances of a large global corporation, you can find open source software to do the job. For our list of open source financial tools, we cast a wide net and included applications related to enterprise resource management, point-of-sale and even employee time tracking. Not to mention traditional accounting and financial management tools.

One trend worth noting -- a huge number of the open source tools on this list, particularly the business applications, are now available on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis. For businesses, this model seems to make sense, as it gives them access to support and reduces the need for in-house staff to deploy and monitor applications. It also enables a more mobile workforce and keeps costs low. And of course, this model is also great for open source vendors as it gives them another way to monetize their open source projects.
Without further ado, here are fifty open source applications that might be able to replace the financial software you currently use for your home or business.

Open Source: Accounting

1. 1. TurboCASH Replaces: QuickBooks, Sage Peachtree
Specifically designed to replace QuickBooks and Sage, TurboCASH offers a handy chart on its Web site that let's you compare features. It's easy to setup, offers comprehensive reporting, and is one of the most robust accounting programs available for small business owners. Operating System: Windows

2. FrontAccounting Replaces: QuickBooks Online
Offering some basic ERP functions as well as fairly advance accounting functions, FrontAccounting lets you access your books from any browser. Unlike most commercial Web-based accounting systems which store your data in the cloud, you'll need your own Web server in order to use FrontAccounting. Operating System: OS Independent

3. Phreebooks Replaces: QuickBooks, Sage Peachtree
This Web-based accounting and ERP solution offers many advanced features, like sales forecasting, data backup, and bill pay, that cost extra with commercial products. It's also available as a hosted service in addition to the free version. Operating System: OS Independent

4. GnuCash Replaces: Quicken Home and Business
GnuCash offers a complete personal finance manager, as well as basic business accounting features best suited for very small businesses. It includes investment management and tracking capabilities, plus accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, etc. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

5. FriFinans Replaces: QuickBooks, Sage Peachtree

Aimed at small to medium-sized organizations, FriFinaans offers a cross-platform, multi-user client-server based accounting system. It tracks accounts, debtors, creditors, products, and more. Operating System: OS Independent

6. osFinancials Replaces: QuickBooks, Sage Peachtree
Designed to be simple, osFinancials can be used by anyone. The basic software is free, but plug-ins and support are available for a fee. Note: because it is developed by a team in the Netherlands, a lot of the osFinancials Web site and documentation is in Dutch, but English is also available. Operating System: Windows

Open Source: Billing

7. jBilling Replaces: QuickTel
Although it offers special features for telecom providers, jBilling can be used by any subscription-based service to track and bill customers. Because it uses a rules engine, it adapts as your business changes, and it's much easier than creating your own in-house solution. Operating System: OS Independent

Open Source: Budgeting and Forecasting

8. Adaptive Planning Replaces Prophix, Budget Maestro/Planning Maestro
The "leader in on-demand budgeting, forecasting, and reporting solutions," Adaptive Planning software hopes to move enterprises off spreadsheets to its more adaptive and responsive budget planning and forecasting. In addition to the free open-source version, it's available in Corporate and Enterprise Editions, with all the flavors also available on a software-as-a-service model. Operating System: Windows, Linux

Open Source: Business Intelligence (BI)

9. Jaspersoft Replaces SAP Netweaver, SAS, Oracle Business Intelligence, Cognos
Calling itself the "most widely used open source business intelligence," the Jaspersoft Business Intelligence Suite contains modules for reporting, data analysis, data integration and dashboards. It's available in three versions: the free community edition and the paid professional and enterprise editions. Operating System: OS Independent

10. Pentaho Replaces SAP Netweaver, SAS, Oracle Business Intelligence, Cognos
Like Jaspersoft, Pentaho also claims to be the leader in open source business intelligence. It includes five modules for reporting, analysis, dashboards, data integration and data mining, and it's available in on-demand and commercially supported versions, as well as the free community version. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

11. Palo BI Suite Replaces SAP Netweaver, SAS, Oracle Business Intelligence, Cognos
While not quite as robust as either the open-source or commercial apps above, Palo provides excellent tools for financial reporting, analysis and planning. It's available either as an Excel add-on or as a complete Web-based suite. Operating System: OS Independent

12. JMagallanes Replaces LogiXML, DBxtra
Java-based JMagallanes lets users create charts and tables from a wide variety of data sources, including SQL, Excel, XML, and other file types. It's not as advanced as the other business intelligence tools in this list, but is fairly easy to use. Operating System: OS Independent

13. OpenReports Replaces LogiXML, DBxtra
This Web-based solution makes it easy for end users to create reports using one of a variety of open-source reporting engines. It's also available in a commercial version, which adds capabilities like dashboards and conditional scheduling. Operating System: OS Independent

Open Source: E-Commerce

14. Magento Replaces Big Commerce, Volusion, Yahoo Merchant
This self-proclaimed "world's fastest-growing eCommerce platform" has been downloaded more than 2 million times and has processed more than $25 billion in transactions. In addition to the free community edition, it's available in paid Professional and Enterprise versions with support and additional features. Operating System: Windows, Linux.

15. PrestaShop Replaces Big Commerce, Volusion, Yahoo Merchant
More than 40,000 merchants around the world use PrestaShop. It's lightweight, fast, scalable, modular, and enables Web 2.0 features. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

16. Order Portal Replaces Mainstreet Commerce, Yahoo Merchant
Designed for mid-size manufacturers, distributors, and rental companies, order portal can be used alone to take e-commerce orders or as part of the Web Business Suite that includes a dashboard, CMS, data migration, and other features. Both Order Portal and the Web Business Suite are available as a free download, as a hosted solution, or can be integrated into existing back-end systems with help from project owner Randr, Inc. Operating System: Linux.

17. Zen Cart Replaces Big Commerce, Volusion, Yahoo Merchant
Zen Cart aims to meet the needs of businesspeople—not programmers. As a result, it's easy to set up and offers a wealth of features, including gift certificates, discount coupons, a newsletter manager, multiple payment options, multiple shipment options, and much more. Operating System: Windows, Linux

Open Source: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

18. Compiere ERP + CRM Business Solution Replaces: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics
This open-source edition ERP/CRM suite offers the same features you'd find in commercial software, like financial management, purchasing, materials management, order management, project accounting, sales, service, ecommerce, and performance management and reporting. Additional modules and commercial support can also be purchased, or you can run an SaaS version in the cloud. The site includes a TCO report to help you see how it compares to more well-known software. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

19. ADempiere ERP Business Suite Replaces: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics
A more community-oriented fork of Compiere, ADempiere combines ERP, CRM and POS functions into a single download. In addition to the link above, adempiere.com provides a great deal of information and documentation for the software. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

20. opentaps Replaces: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics
Calling itself, "the most advanced Open Source ERP + CRM solution," opentaps provides ecommerce, customer relationship management, warehouse and inventory management, supply chain management, and financial management functionality. Big name users include Toyota, Honeywell and others. Operating System: Windows, Linux

21. allocPSA Replaces NetSuite OpenAir, Projector PSA, Q360
This web-based suite includes a dashboard, bookkeeping, project management, time tracking, to do lists, CRM, calendar, and much more, all designed specifically to meet the needs of professional service organizations. The Web site includes a video that provides a helpful overview of the key features. Operating System: OS Independent

22. Dolibarr ERP/CRM Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
Designed for small to medium sized companies, freelancers or foundations, Dolibarr offers a modular approach to ERP and CRM that lets you install only the functions you need. It installs on your Web server and can be accessed from any browser. The Web site includes a number of screenshots and an online demo so that you can see how it works before you download. Operating System: OS Independent

23. JFire Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
Key features of this ERP/CRM/SCM suite include product management, sales and purchases, billing and accounting, customer relationship management, issue tracking and reporting. In addition to the link above, additional information can be found on the jFire community site. Operating System: OS Independent

24. Plazma ERP + CRM Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
While heavy on CRM features, Plazma does also offer some ERP functions. The interface is fairly bare-bones, but it gets the job done for small businesses. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

25. Neogia Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
For small to midsize companies, Neogia combines ERP, CRM, eCommerce, business intelligence and other functions. Note that although the software is available in English, much of the Web site and other documentation is only able in French or is badly translated. Operating System: Windows, Linux

26. Openbravo ERP Replaces: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics
Calling itself the "leading Web-based open source ERP," Openbravo is designed to scale with growing companies. It's available as a free community edition download or in a professional edition through a subscription with one of the Openbravo partners. Operating System: OS Independent

27. Open ERP Replaces: SAP Microsoft Dynamics
OpenERP offers a modular design, so companies can select the functionality that they need. The Web site offers helpful comparisons with other open-source ERP solutions, as well as SAP and Microsoft Dynamics. In addition to the free version, it's available in a several commercial editions or on a SaaS basis from Odoo. Operating System: Windows, Linux

28. ]project-open[ Replaces: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics
Used by more than 3000 companies in 80 countries, project-open combines project management and ERP for businesses with 3 to 3,000 employees. Note that the full software is released under a mixed license, that is, parts are open-source, parts are available under a free commercial license, and parts are only available under a fee-based commercial license. Operating System: OS Independent

29. Postbooks/xTuple ERP Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
The xTuple PostBooks edition tracks sales, accounting, operations, and CRM. xTuple is also available in a number of reasonably priced commercial editions or as a cloud-based service. Operating System: Windows, Linux, Unix, OS X

30. webERP Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
Particularly suited to wholesalers and distributors, webERP offers browser-based ERP and accounting functionality. Downloaded an average of 5,000 times per month, it can run on any Web server and supports multiple themes and multiple languages. Operating System: OS Independent

31. EdgeERP Replaces NetSuite , Sage AccPac
An offshoot of WebERP, EdgeERP offers the same basic functionality with a more community-oriented approach. It's designed to be extremely reliable, accessible, and flexible. Operating System: OS Independent

Open Source: Human Resource Management (HRM)

32. Orange HRM Replaces iVantage, iCIMS
Targeted at small to medium sized enterprises, Orange provides a comprehensive set of HRM capabilities, including tracking payroll, time and attendance, and benefits. A hosted version, support, training, customization and add-ons are available for a fee. Operating System: Windows, Linux, Unix, OS X

33. WaypointHR Replaces iVantage, iCIMS
Although not quite as mature as Orange or the commercial HR solutions on our list, Waypoint includes all the basic functions you would expect in a Human Resources Management System. It's also available in a commercial on-demand version. Operating System: OS Independent

Open Source: Investment Tracking and Management

34. JStock Replaces StockMarketEye, Personal Stock Monitor, TradeTrakker
If you prefer to track your investments separately from the rest of your finances or if you need some advanced features, JStock might be right for you. It lets you track a watch list and your current investments in 24 global stock markets. Key features include advanced starting capabilities, alerts, stock-picking filters, optional cloud storage and online chat with other JStock users. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

35. Chartsy Replaces StockMarketEye, Personal Stock Monitor, TradeTrakker
A fairly new project, Chartsy makes it easy to view the trading history for your favorite stocks. The site includes links to a YouTube tutorial, as well as plug-ins to help you analyze your stock picks. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

Open Source: Personal Financial Management

36. Buddi Replaces: Quicken, Moneydance
This “personal budget software for the rest of us” requires very little financial knowledge on the part of the user, and with the help of the quickstart tutorial, you can be up and running in as little as five minutes. However, it does not offer as many advanced functions as the commercial programs it can replace. Operating System: OS Independent

37. Grisbi Replaces: Quicken Home and Business
Grisbi provides standard personal finance software features, like tracking multiple accounts, reports, budgeting and a scheduler. In addition, it also includes a few more advanced features suitable for organizations, such as multiple currency management, multiple user management, fiscal year tracking, and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux

38. KMyMoney Replaces: Quicken, Moneydance
This app for the KDE desktop offers a very user-friendly interface and can import Quicken files. It humbly claims to be "the BEST personal finance software for Linux users." Operating System: Linux

39. Money Manager Ex Replaces: Quicken, Mint
This browser-based app allows you to access your financial information from your desktop or the Internet, even from your mobile phone. It tracks multiple accounts, including investment accounts, and can import data from Excel or Quicken. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

40. JGnash Replaces: Quicken, Moneydance
This Java-based personal finance manager accepts either double-entry or single-entry transactions in order to make things as simple as possible for the user. It tracks investments and multiple currencies and can import data from Quicken or online banking services. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

41. Yapbam Replaces: Quicken, Moneydance
Short for "yet another bank account manager," Yapbam offers all the typical personal finance software functionality. Although the interface is pretty basic, it does offer some advanced features like the transaction entry wizard, negative balance alerts and automated recurring transactions. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

Open Source: Point-of-Sale (POS)

42. Openbravo POS Replaces Epicor Retail Store, Retail STAR, POSitouch
Openbravo POS boasts nearly 10,000 installations per month and is very popular among retailers. The Java-based app works with most touch-screen POS hardware, and it integrates with Openbravo ERP. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

43. Lemon POS Replaces QuickBooks Point of Sale, AccuPOS
Designed for very small businesses, Lemon POS offers a simple, secure way to make and track sales. It stores data in a MySQL database and works with most bar code scanners and printers. Operating System: Linux

44. POSper Replaces QuickBooks Point of Sale, AccuPOS
This POS system for restaurants and small retail outlets offers an intuitive touchscreen interface, a sophisticated discount system, split tickets, and more. It integrates with POSper BackOffice and many ERP and accounting systems. Operating System: OS Independent

45. Floreant POS Replaces QuickBooks Point of Sale, AccuPOS
For restaurants only, Floreant POS simplifies order management, kitchen automation, and cash handling. It offers an intuitive touchscreen interface, detailed reporting, and support for most hardware. Operating System: OS Independent

Open Source: Spreadsheets

46. Gnumeric Replaces: Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
Part of the Gnome desktop, Gnumeric reads and writes Excel file formats, but is not meant to be an Excel clone. It offers superior graphing capabilities, a number of unique functions, and an intuitive interface that should seem familiar to anyone who's ever used a spreadsheet program. Operating System: Windows, Linux

47. KOffice KSpread Replaces: Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
Part of KDE's KOffice program, KSpread offers many of the same features as commercial spreadsheets, though the interface may feel somewhat unfamiliar to Excel users. It includes a helpful formula list that makes it easy to add functions to your spreadsheets. Operating System: Windows, Linux

48. OpenOffice.org Calc Replaces: Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
Calc is part of one of the most popular open source applications of any type—the OpenOffice.org office productivity suite. It reads and writes files from most other spreadsheet applications, including Excel, and it's very easy to use. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

Open Source: Time Tracking

49. TimeTrex Replaces Replicon, Tenrox Timesheet
The "world's most popular open source payroll and time management software," TimeTrex standard edition includes modules for employee scheduling, time and attendance and payroll. The commercial business and pro editions (available in on-site or hosted versions) add more ways to track attendance, job costing, invoicing, support, and other features. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

50. eHour Replaces Replicon, Tenrox Timesheet
This app tracks multiple projects, multiple users, and multiple billing rates for organizations that bill hourly, like freelancers, lawyers, consultants, etc. eHour can also create detailed reports , and its available in either a standalone or a client/server version. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X

From: http://guywhosteals.blogspot.com/2010/12/50-open-source-replacements-for-popular.html

Four Open Source Software Upates You Should Know About

by Lisa Hoover - Sep. 03, 2009 (http://ostatic.com/blog/)

There's a lot going on in the world of open source software development, including some early looks at updates to several popular applications. Remember: beta versions of software are fun to play with and crucial for getting final versions out the door, but aren't stable enough for everyday use.

AbiWord 2.7.10 Beta - Open source word processor, AbiWord, mainly fixes bugs associated with plugins but there are also a handful of fixes for some cross-platform issues. You'll also want to check out this beta version if you've been having issues with importing and exporting Open Office XML docs.

Blender 2.49b - This is a full-blown point release of the powerful 3D modeling application that's so powerful some artists use it to create full-length animated films. In addition to fixing issues reported in earlier versions of the app, Blender 2.49b includes new features like projection painting, game engine speed-up, video texture, texture nodes, and more.

Audacity 1.3.9 Beta - Everybody's favorite open source, cross-platform audio editor and recorder is getting a minor facelift. This beta version of Audacity rolls out bug fixes for various issues like effects not loading properly, crashes while importing some non-MP3 files, and incorrectly disabled menu items. The Audacity team has two Google Summer of Code 2009 students to thank for all their help getting this beta version out the door.

VirtualBox 3.0.6 Beta1 - This popular free virtualization software lets you run multiple operating systems at the same time and is built to handle graphic-intensive games and apps. The latest beta version of VirtualBox is an early look at the next maintenance release that will fix a few niggling issues and add a few minor tweaks to help stabilize the app for everyday use.

What is Open Source Software?

(From The New Zealand Open Source Society)

Open Source Software is simply computer software that provides its users with specific freedoms that are not usually available with commercial or proprietary software. There are various subtly different interpretations of what these freedoms should be - these are formalised in the definitions provided by two major groups:

• The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has an Open Source Definition

• The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has a Free Software Definition

The essential point is that Open Source Software provides you with the source code (the "blueprints" from which software is made), and the freedom to modify the software if you want to. You can even distribute these modified versions to others if you wish within certain simple to understand guidelines.

This means that software development becomes a collaborative rather than competitive process and from that collaboration comes innovation. Usually Open Source Software is developed because people want a specific piece of software to exist, either so they can use it or in order that others may. This means that a lot of Open Source Software is developed in direct response to a real world need. This is in contrast to the situation where software companies develop extra features for their products that most end users do not want or use and then attempt to create a market need for that feature.

While the concept of Open Source Software may seem odd when you encounter it for the first time, it actually works very well and has been in operation for a lot longer than the proprietary or closed source model. It does not mean that software developers cannot make money off of software, it simply means that they cannot make their money by holding other business and end users hostage through complex license agreements.

Many companies large and small produce Open Source Software and some notable examples are OpenOffice, created by Sun Microsystems and Mozilla/FireFox, created by AOL Time Warner. Small companies can instantly gain market share by open sourcing their product, eg TrollTech with their QT Library. Also, users can modify or create software to fulfil their own needs, or just for fun. Users can also see others use, improve and maintain this software with them.

An analogy is often made here between software and cars. A proprietary closed source computer program is like a car that is sold with its bonnet welded shut with only those that the manufacturer "certifies" permitted to look inside the car or to maintain it. This can lead to the costs of operating the car to escalate as there is no competetive pressure for balance.

Open Source Software is like a normal car where you choose the best and most cost effective method of maintaining it. Any Open Source developer can maintain or improve your software for you, so you are assured that you can always obtain top-quality service. This is rather than relying on the original vendor who may choose to stop supporting you, or to manipulate the software licenses to achieve their wider corporate goals. Even if you know nothing about engines, the fact that you can choose who maintains your car for you is a valuable thing.

With software though the situation is even more pronounced. Software is essentially information, and information is the only thing that you can give away without losing it yourself. People may borrow information from one Open Source project and include it in another without depriving the original developers of anything.

Open Source Software development is also able to proceed at a vastly greater pace than conventional software development. This all allows Open Source development to produce excellent products and has the added benefit of boosting competitive pressures and forcing proprietary software development organisations to lift their game. This results in better software quality overall which can only be beneficial for businesses and other end users.

Another good way to look at Open Source is as a community of equals. Typically there is a real-world community built around the mailing lists and support groups of Open Source, but more importantly, as a user of open source you regain control over your use of software. You are not simply a powerless consumer. You can, at your own discretion, take the software and use it for any purpose, provided you comply with the very simple license terms that Open Source software is released under.

Some of the time, Open Source Software development is an art. Many developers produce their software only so that they can show it to others. They are proud of their work and want to see it being used, running on the desktops and servers of as many people as possible all around the world.

We hope that you will come to appreciate the art of Open Source.

Free Writer Apps

10 9 Free Apps Every Writer Should Consider

From Lifehack.org

1. q10: A cool, minimalist full-screen text editor that includes a spellchecker and a couple other nice features. (Win Only; Alternatives: DarkRoom, also Win-only; WriteRoom, Mac-only but not free; Writer, online app)
2. Freemind: Java-based mindmapping software. Great for brainstorming and taking notes. (Runs anywhere Java runs)
3. EverNote: Capture formatted notes from any application to a single place. The new version (in private beta now) offers online access, too. (A paid version offers niceties like handwriting recognition.)
4. Zotero: Firefox extension that allows you to capture bibliographic information from web pages, organize citiations and documents, and create bibliographies in Word and OpenOffice. Essential for anyone who does research on the web.
5. yWriter5: Novel-writing software created by a working writer with writers in mind. Keeps character descriptions, notes, and other essential information at your fingertips as you write. (Win and Linux)
6. Sonar: Submission tracking software from the same guy who wrote yWriter4. Keep track of markets and submissions easily. (Win and Linux)
7. Foxit Reader: A super-fast PDF reader. Opens almost every document much more quickly than Adobe Reader. (Win only)
8. PDF Creator: Open source program to create PDF files from any application that can print. Installs a "virtual printer" under your programs "Print" menu; select it to save as PDF. (Win only)
9. Enso Words: Provides system-wide spellchecking and word count; simply select text and enter a keystroke combination ("Caps Lock" + s for spellcheck, "Caps Lock" + w for word count, etc.). (Win only)

No Dentist Left Behind

I found this old posting that is still as relevant today as it was a few years ago when it was first posted:


My dentist is great! He sends me reminders so I don't forget Check-ups. He uses the latest techniques based on research. He never hurts me, and I've got all my teeth. When I ran into him the other day, I was eager to see if he'd heard about the new state program. I knew he'd think it was great.

"Did you hear about the new state program to measure effectiveness of dentists with their young patients?" I said. "No," he said. He didn't seem too thrilled. "How will they do that?" "It's quite simple," I said. "They will just count the number of cavities each patient has at age 10, 14, and 18 and average that to determine a dentist's rating. Dentists will be rated as excellent, good, average, below average, and unsatisfactory. That way parents will know which are the best dentists. The plan will also encourage the less effective dentists to get better," I said. "Poor dentists who don't improve could lose their licenses to practice."

"That's terrible," he said. "What? That's not a good attitude," I said. "Don't you think we should try to improve children's dental health in this state?" "Sure I do," he said, "but that's not a fair way to determine who is practicing good dentistry." "Why not?", I said. "It makes perfect sense to me."

"Well, it's so obvious," he said. "Don't you see that dentists don't all work with the same clientele, and that much depends on things we can't control? For example, I work in a rural area with a high percentage of patients from deprived homes, while some of my colleagues work in upper middle-class neighborhoods. Many of the parents I work with don't bring their children to see me until there is some kind of problem, and I don't get to do much preventive work. Also, more educated parents who understand the relationship between sugar and decay. To top it all off, so many of my clients have well water which is untreated and has no fluoride in it. Do you have any idea how much difference early use of fluoride can make?"

"It sounds like you're making excuses," I said. "I can't believe that you, my dentist, would be so defensive. After all, you do a great job, and you needn't fear a little accountability."

"I am not being defensive!" he said. "My best patients are as good as anyone's, my work is as good as anyone's, but my average cavity count is going to be higher than a lot of other dentists because I chose to work where I am needed most."

"Don't get touchy," I said. "Touchy?" he said. His face had turned red, and from the way he was clenching and unclenching his jaws, I was afraid he was going to damage his teeth. "Try furious! In a system like this, I will end up being rated average, below average, or worse. The few educated patients I have who see these ratings may believe this so-called rating is an actual measure of my ability and proficiency as a dentist. They may leave me, and I'll be left with only the most needy patients. And my cavity average score will get even worse. On top of that, how will I attract good dental hygienists and other excellent dentists to my practice if it is labeled below average?"

"I think you are overreacting," I said. "'Complaining, excuse-making and stonewalling won't improve dental health'...I am quoting from a leading member of the DOC," I noted. "What's the DOC?" he asked. "It's the Dental Oversight Committee," I said, "a group made up of mostly lay persons to make sure dentistry in this state gets improved. "Spare me," he said, "I can't believe this. Reasonable people won't buy it," he said hopefully.

The program sounded reasonable to me, so I asked, "How else would you measure good dentistry?" "Come watch me work," he said. "Observe my processes." "That's too complicated, expensive and time- consuming," I said. "Cavities are the bottom line, and you can't argue with the bottom line.

It's an absolute measure." "That's what I'm afraid my parents and prospective patients will think. This can't be happening," he said despairingly.

"Now, now," I said, "don't despair. The state will help you some."

"How?" he asked. "If you receive a poor rating, they'll send a dentist who is rated excellent to help straighten you out," I said brightly. "You mean," he said, "they'll send a dentist with a wealthy clientele to show me how to work on severe juvenile dental problems with which I have probably had much more experience? BIG HELP!"

"There you go again," I said. "You aren't acting professionally at all." "You don't get it," he said. "Doing this would be like grading schools and teachers on an average score made on a test of children's progress with no regard to influences outside the school, the home, the community served and stuff like that. Why would they do something so unfair to dentists? No one would ever think of doing that to schools."

I just shook my head sadly, but he had brightened. "I'm going to write my representatives and senators," he said. "I'll use the school analogy. Surely they will see the point." He walked off with that look of hope mixed with fear and suppressed anger that I, a teacher, see in the mirror so often lately.

If you don't understand why educators resent the recent federal NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT, this may help. If you do understand, you'll enjoy this analogy, which was forwarded by John S. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools for the Lancaster County, PA, School District.

Web 2.0 - what does it look like?

As the use of "Web 2 technologies" phrase becomes more common, I'd like to document what these differences are. One below:

Examples of the Change to the Read/Write Web

Web 1.0	Web 2.0
DoubleClick	Google AdSense
Ofoto	Flickr
Akamai	BitTorrent
mp3.com	Napster
Britannica Online	Wikipedia
personal websites	blogging
evite	upcoming.org and EVDB
domain name speculation	search engine optimization
page views	cost per click
screen scraping	web services
publishing	participation
content management systems	wikis
directories (taxonomy)	tagging ("folksonomy")
stickiness	syndication

Reference What Is Web 2.0