Open source: It's also about continuity

Paramedic Robert Austin, writing in OSNews: "Like any government agency, emergency service agencies need the basic office software, but they also need 'specialized' software, such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, 9-1-1 Call Taking systems, incident reporting systems, etc. Today, almost without exception, every agency is forced to use a proprietary, closed source Windows program. Far too often it is purchased from a company that is no longer in business five years after the purchase, resulting in the need to purchase a replacement product from another vendor." Open source isn't merely about control, or choice; it's also about continuity, and avoiding the disruptions when small software companies tank.