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Re: Fwd: Is there a need for OpenLDAP?
Hey Jim,
Wednesday, June 13, 2001, 7:57:05 PM, you wrote:
JW> OpenLDAP did fill a need for an easily obtainable, LDAP-enabled
JW> directory service with a low entry price (it's free - but you
JW> had to compile the source code). Shoestring funded start-ups in
JW> the directory-enabled applications business could use it for
JW> building and testing their software, and even recommend it to
JW> clients who didn't have an installed directory service (or
JW> didn't know they had one). Now that Novell is giving away
JW> eDirectory to independent software vendors and Active Directory
JW> is included with Windows 2000 servers, those reasons go away.
JW> Since the initial reasons for the OpenLDAP project no longer
JW> exist, I'd like to suggest a change. Let's forget about
JW> duplicating commercial efforts to create data repositories and
JW> directory services. Instead, let's focus on creating directory-
JW> enabled applications that leverage the installed base of LDAP-
JW> enabled directory services. Give users some concrete
JW> applications that make use of the authentication, authorization
JW> and personalization mechanisms the directory makes available.
JW> That would be a public service.
Just my $.02 here, but this author seems pretty brain-dead to me. By
this author's logic, all OSS should stop its efforts in favor of
existing commercial implementations, and should rather work to fully
implement the commercial version. Heh, isn't that why most people go
with OSS in the first place, to get rid of the commercial version?
And yes, the RFCs are open, but OpenLDAP is an implementation. As
nice as the RFCs are, they mean nothing to me without an application.
I still see a strong need for OpenLDAP. Probably an ever growing need
now that many companies are looking for directory enabled services.
I also like how the author referred to "shoestring startups". I'm sure
he'll win the hearts of a lot of entrepreneurs.
Sorry, maybe I'm just venting, but it amazes me how some people become
writers for technical columns.
Kurt and crew, please keep up the great work.
--
Kevin