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Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead to Linux

Aug 20, 2004  By Tom Adelstein
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LAMP is at the heart of Emergency Response Network Systems and is saving lives.
Linux in the Trenches

On my initial visit to Jo Balderas' company in Ft. Worth, I spent a fascinating morning with her and her son, Mike. Afterwards, I felt like I had made a trip to visit friendly relatives. We sat and discussed the intricacies of Linux and the commitments that the community brings.

Jo Balderas' company, YHD Software Inc., incorporates the qualities of excellence in programming, innovation, security and reliability. YDH Software Inc. exemplifies the intent of our nation's efforts to help form small businesses in which innovation can flourish and jobs can be created. We should be glad to know that open-source and free software provides tools at low to no-cost that people can use to realize their dreams and aspirations. It's nice to know it can happen even in your home town.

Tom Adelstein lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Yvonne, and works as a Linux and open-source software consultant locally and nationally. He's the co-author of the upcoming book Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop, published by O'Reilly and Associates. Tom has written numerous articles on Linux technical and marketing issues as a guest editor for a variety of publications. His latest venture has him working as the webmaster of JDSHelp.org.

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Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/24/2004 - 02:00.

I can't figure out what the software does? All I get from the article is a personel database and a message system. That doesn't seem very special. Every ISP and large company has this capability.

And how would that be related to software that "helped talent agencies conduct talent searches".

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/24/2004 - 02:00.

Your so right. I bet they wonder why they didn't figure that out themselves.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/24/2004 - 02:00.

This story is nothing but a covert ad for YHD software.

Additionally, Tom needs to stop all the silly rhetorical questions. How many of them end up with, will they do this or will they do that? I suggest he takes a journalism course at a nearby college.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/24/2004 - 02:00.

I don't think YHDsoftware needs to advertise. If you read the press releases, they contract directly with the government.

I think it's another nice addition to Linux Journal's collection of case studies.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/25/2004 - 02:00.

Yep. Especially government ones.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/24/2004 - 02:00.

>>Additionally, Tom needs to stop all the silly rhetorical questions. How many of them end up with, will they do this or will they do that? I suggest he takes a journalism course at a nearby college.<<

As a fellow journalist, his writing is sound. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to use rhetoric to avoid claims of our making assertions. He also uses a formal approach, which you may not like. I would guess that he's written a number of journal style articles.

Finally, how many Linux journalists have a 20 year old book selling for $197.00 on Amazon - used? Look under S. Thomas Adelstein. I'd co-author with him anytime.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/24/2004 - 02:00.

I don't think so. But then again, do you like to wind surf?

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

Why isn't this story on Slashdot?

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

GREAT STORY! READERS CHOICE: BEST OF THE YEAR! Way to go Heather and Tom.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

Very Informative!, A small company making good in government, that's gotta make be my favorite success story of the year.

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

Congratulations to Mike and Bonita!

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/23/2004 - 02:00.

Mike is Jo's son, but who is "Bonita"?

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/23/2004 - 02:00.

His fiancee

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

I'm surprised at the number of typos in this. Is the company called YHD or YDH?

Is Mike's and Jo's name Balderas or Banderas?

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

In light of one of the better stories of the year, you focus on three misspelled words. How anal. Get a life!

Re: Linux in Government: DHS Secretary Ridge Gives the Go Ahead

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/20/2004 - 02:00.

YHD and Balderas

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