Need a delicate over technical term for and open source alternative

mothmonsterman · #1 03-04-2009, 02:27 AM

I need a term or a way to describe a piece of open source software so my boss thinks it's the same thing as the licensed one.

For example "we need sharepoint" not that he has any clue what sharepoint does or why it completely necessary to spend 40k on licensing I think his new pet project manager put it in his head that you "NEED" sharepoint to run a website.... (yeah i know)

Solution: Build a new linux server and install Alfresco toss it on the DMZ and give it the subdomain "sharepoint", not only free but alot more user friendly.

We plan on kicking this off at the first meeting of the "Technology Task Force" (<-----lol, don't ask me IT is sitting this one out).
So as we are explaining this we need make it sound like it's sharepoint, but explain it not so we don't run into any later issues.
I can think of things like "free version of sharepoint"
or "alternative to sharepoint"
But the administration is scared of terms like free and alternative.

So any ideas?
"it's a sharepoint _____________"

that fancier the better.

ehque · #2 03-04-2009, 03:07 AM

It's Sharepoint update/version 2.6.

Sharepoint Professional. Or Advanced.

Sharepoint build number 8.3031928

Sharepoint for IT Professionals.

Sharepoint Deluxe.

sensible68 · #3 03-04-2009, 04:50 AM

What stage are you at? business requirements or functional design, or further? Depends if you can get away with being software agnostic at this stage.

Try to steer him away from specific brands by calling it your content management system.

L-A · #4 03-04-2009, 08:14 AM

"Sharepoint is only one of our options, regarding the content management system. We have the choice of using other systems that offer the same functions and efficiency."

Then present a few alternatives. Comparative screenshots of Alfresco and Sharepoint could help you, I think.

mothmonsterman · #5 03-04-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensible68

What stage are you at? business requirements or functional design, or further? Depends if you can get away with being software agnostic at this stage.

Try to steer him away from specific brands by calling it your content management system.

Ahhh but you miss the point, they think they need a CMS (sharepoint) to build an host a website.
They have no idea what the program actually does.
Like wise they have no idea what the program looks like.
and they can't be bothered with me trying to explain it to them.

If we say content management system they will complain about why I'm changing the subject, we are suppost to be talking about sharepoint.

Projects around here go through with no expectations, no planning, not clear outline of deliverable, and no district need and no schedule but "NOW".
Bossman calls it "critical path planning" to which I almost peed myself laughing.

Sharepoint executive
Sharepoint task management
Sharepoint ID10T
Sharepoint web developer
Sharepoint enterprise waffle
Sharepoint linux edition

any of those sound good?

mothmonsterman · #6 03-04-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L-A

"Sharepoint is only one of our options, regarding the content management system. We have the choice of using other systems that offer the same functions and efficiency."

Then present a few alternatives. Comparative screenshots of Alfresco and Sharepoint could help you, I think.

The Idea is to mask the open source solution as sharepoint, not give them options. This is to save both myself and the fiscal guy headaches in spending money for something 10 people will use for 2 weeks then forget about.

MakiSupaStar · #7 03-04-2009, 10:28 AM

Give it some acronym too.

Executive Sharepoint Patch System BLFN (Boss Likes Fancy Names).

L-A · #8 03-04-2009, 11:01 AM

BLFN Linux Sharepoint sounds great.

Chickencha · #9 03-04-2009, 12:09 PM

This really seems like the wrong way to go to me. Is it really out of the question to just have a chat with your boss and try to get across the idea that Sharepoint isn't required for your project and by not using it you can save your company money? If you deceive him (which is basically what you're talking about doing) and he finds out, it's not going to be pretty.

I understand the perils of having a technical job with a non-technical boss, but if he's halfway reasonable he'll see that since you're the one with the technical knowledge you should be the one making the technical decisions. If he's not halfway reasonable, then, well...sorry. I guess you can try to pull a fast one on him, but I still don't think it's wise.

bongomania · #10 03-04-2009, 12:16 PM

I think "Sharepoint Executive" is the best fool-him name because it implies that it's the Executive i.e. Managerial version, meaning it's the version created just for him.

"Sharepoint Analog" is another name idea. It's closer to "the truth".

MakiSupaStar · #11 03-04-2009, 12:58 PM

Or Enterprise is a great word to throw in the mix too.

BLFN Linux Sharepoint Enterprise version.

Pilgrim · #12 03-04-2009, 01:57 PM

Sharepoint clone?

Phat Ham · #13 03-04-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Or Enterprise is a great word to throw in the mix too.

BLFN Linux Sharepoint Enterprise version.

synergy. figure out how to work "synergy" into the name.

BLFN Sharepoint synergy enterprise

I agree with Chickencha though trying to trick the boss isn't a good idea. Present your solution and if bossman doesn't go for it that's his problem. If there are issues down the line you can say I told you so (but be more diplomatic about it).

lemur821 · #14 03-04-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

"Sharepoint Analog" is another name idea. It's closer to "the truth".

That was going to be my suggestion. Season to taste with adjectives.

fdeck · #15 03-04-2009, 11:03 PM

Sharewarepoint

DudeistMonk · #16 03-04-2009, 11:13 PM

Lol just mention saving money a lot...If anything can keep an execs attention its cash.

I feel your pain though...I've heard of higher ups deciding on a certain CMS because they got a free backpack from a sales rep.

Happynoj · #17 03-05-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phat Ham

I agree with Chickencha though trying to trick the boss isn't a good idea. Present your solution and if bossman doesn't go for it that's his problem. If there are issues down the line you can say I told you so (but be more diplomatic about it).

I agree. Explain to him that you don't NEED Sharepoint, and that you can get another program that does the same thing that doesn't cost anything. Be open and honest about it. If he isn't convinced and goes for Sharepoint, then that is his problem - he is running the company, and he is in charge of the money. Why do you care whether he wastes his money?

DigMe · #18 03-05-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

I agree. Explain to him that you don't NEED Sharepoint, and that you can get another program that does the same thing that doesn't cost anything. Be open and honest about it. If he isn't convinced and goes for Sharepoint, then that is his problem - he is running the company, and he is in charge of the money. Why do you care whether he wastes his money?

And you can tell him that you were advised to do this by the "Holder of the first Executive Meritorious Citation from the Council of Shadows"

bc

Happynoj · #19 03-05-2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigMe

And you can tell him that you were advised to do this by the "Holder of the first Executive Meritorious Citation from the Council of Shadows"

bc

Hmm? I don't get it.

DigMe · #20 03-05-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happynoj

Hmm? I don't get it.

OK