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Story: The British Library's online turn-up for the books
Where is Linux in the equation?
It is a good point. Where does Linux feature in the BL's plans?
The answer is that it doesn't and for a reason and many would say that it is not a good reason.
The British Library funtions with a combination of public money (yes, we taxpayers do fund much of it) and private donations. The donations come from lots of different people including Microsoft who contribute a shed load of money to the work there.
So on the one hand, Microsoft cannot tell the BL to do certain things or it will not give it the cash. But it can say, our money will go on this project (but not these others) so if you want the money do projects we like. It is then up to the Library to choose.
My suggestion for open source and Linux fans is imple. Send the Library some money and tell them you want an open source version of Turning the Pages. That is what I am doing.
But don't blame the library for not doing a project it does not have the money for. It has many other projects on its plate and not just Turning the Pages.
In no way is that a perfect solution and I am sure there must be a better one.
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