"The OpenGroupware.org (OGo) project last week announced the release of its software under GPL and LGPL licenses. This new project claims to be the software that can replace Microsoft Exchange servers with a totally Open Source solution. As I looked at the press release, I saw quotes like 'The release of OGo means the OpenOffice.org suite is ready for the enterprise complete with full-featured and mature groupware solutions.' Unfortunately, after several hours of effort, I learned that this software is not yet ready for corporate use.
"OGo is an ambitious project seeking to provide many of the functions that are not currently available in most Open Source groupware solutions. To quote the press release: 'OGo software will enable users to share calendar, address book and e-mail information; they can communicate via instant messaging, share folders, exchange documents, track changes, share a whiteboard, and browse the Web all at the same time--all upon open Internet standards and without paying or managing cumbersome licensing fees.'
"The press release also quotes Gary Frederick, leader of the OpenOffice.org Groupware Project, as saying, 'Just to be perfectly clear, this is an MS Exchange replacement. OGo is important because it's the missing link in the open source software stack. It's the end of a decade-long effort to map all the key infrastructure and standard desktop applications to free software...'"
