Open Freud Guide
by Jeff Liebermann  with  Saun O'Pen   06/17/93
jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us

Selecting an OPEN software platform requires more than simply selecting 
hardware and software.  The investment also includes evaluating the
company.  While hardware and software have standards and RFC's with
which one may evaluate OPENness, it is more difficult to evaluate
the company.  This document is designed to aid in such an evaluation.

Body language and corporate culture bear a noticable semblance.
Small mannerisms and actions betray much larger characteristics.
Like the dog that inherits the habits of its master, so do the
little things around a company betray its most secret internal
policies.  Much can be learned by simple observation.

****  The Building and Facilities  ****
How does the company front door OPEN?
  Outwards - Outgoing and free with information.
  Inwards - Building code violation.  May point to a tendency to
    violate other rules and conventions.
  Revolving - Infested with politicians.  Sends the customer on a
    merry chase and runs everyone in circles.
  Sliding door - May cause head crash while attempting to access.
  Trap door - Underground software lab.
  
How many hours per day is the building OPEN?
  Programming is best done under cover of darkness.
  Programmers leaving at 5pm is a sure sign of trouble to come.

Do the windows OPEN?
  Windows is the big thing in the DOS world.  However, many companies
  treat windows as a threat.  Windows that don't OPEN are a sure sign
  that Windows support is lacking.

Is the dumpster OPEN or locked?
  An OPEN dumpster policy is vital to the proper distribution of
  programming information to the developer community.  Real OPEN
  programmers do not read the docs, manuals, and literature prefering
  dumpster diving to the more orthodox methods of infomation
  distribution.  A locked dumpster is a sure sign of failure to
  understand the needs of the developer community.

****  Connectivity with Neighbors  ****
How OPEN are the premisis?
  Connectivity is a big thing to most users.  Companies the lock up
  the facilities will tend to do the same to their networking software.
  A locked gate(way) to the adjacent parking lot is a sign of a closed
  facility.  A card key and fence are a sure sign of proprietary
  protocols.  Anything requiring a bridge to access indicates
  that communications will be bottlenecked.

****  The Product Packaging  ****
How does the package OPEN?
  Tear OPEN - This is a violent company.  It will tend to engage in
    dirty tricks, litigation, and unethical practices to convince
    customers that its product is OPEN.  Not recommended.
  Slide OPEN -  This is a sure sign of a company run by the ad agency.
    Everything is trick and done sideways.
  Pull OPEN -  Where physical pull is required, political pull cannot
    be far away.  This company will debate it's product in the courts,
    and in Washington.  Support will tend to favour those with pull.
  OPEN bottom - Having the bottom fall out of the box is a sure sign
    of a discounted product sold just prior to when the bottom will
    also fall out of the market.  Not a good investment.

Does it have an OPEN me first document?
  This indicates that the installation proceedure has been thoroughly
  tested.  OPENing the box, shoveling the peanuts, and getting
  things into the OPEN, are an integral part of proper OPEN testing.

****  Cafeteria Protocol  ****
Are can OPENers available?
  While can and bottle OPENers are usually not required in todays
  pop up or twist off container interfaces, the availability of
  tools to support obsolete technology is a key ingredient to the
  smooth deployment of an OPEN platform.  The presense of these
  tools indicates that the company will not leave you hanging as
  the software gets older.

Are the sandwiches served OPEN faced?
  You are what you eat.  Employees that eat OPEN faced sandwiches
  tend to favor OPEN architecture and systems.  Eat OPEN, think OPEN.

Are the drinks served OPEN or closed?
  This is a difficult one.  Open drinks tend to slosh around and
  attract bugs.  A truely OPEN company keeps its drinks closed at
  the transport layer, and OPEN at the applications layer. 

****  Hardware and Software  ****
Are the machines run with the boxes OPEN?
  Running the machines with cover off and OPEN is an important clue.
  An OPEN machine is a sure sign that everyone is borrowing cards from
  everyone elses computers.  This works like cross fertilization
  insuring that everyone gets their fair share of flakey boards
  and troubleshooting experience yielding a far more robust product.

****  Management Style  ****
OPEN zipper or fly?
  This is one of the few areas where having OPEN characteristics is
  considered undesireable.  Recent litigation has underscored the
  necessity for keeping this area proprietary.

I hope that this has been helpful in evaluating an OPEN software
supplier.  I cannot guarantee that all the aformentioned tendencies
are absolutely correct.  I can guarantee that corporate culture is
very conservative and very difficult to change.