Gee! These Aren't Roasted!
A question that I have had in my mind for awhile about the whole OSS/ Proprietary debate...
The CNR thread debate seems to be centered on Proprietary software released on linux. What do you feel on OSS software released for Mac OS or Windows? Tux Racer, The Gimp, Abi Word, Open Office, et. al. all have windows equivalents. What's the thought on this?
"Who is THE DRIZZLE?"
Fresh Brewed Ubuntu
I think it's great. More OSS to the masses, basically. There aren't that many Linux users in the world, and giving people who use mainstream OS's access to OSS is a good thing. That's one of the nice things about OSS: everybody can use it, and if everybody can't, it won't take long before they can.
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A Carafe of Ubuntu
Good ?Originally Posted by Master Shake
OOO is a good example , that way windows users aren´t forced to use M$ office .
A little freedom is better than no freedom at all , and it is one more way to bring them to the light side of the force , first hook them on our software , then will be more easy convince them to use the rest of it ....
There is only one god, and Ubuntu is its prophet.
Quad Shot of Ubuntu
I think the OSS in Windows/Mac get nailed by their proprietary counterparts.
Office 2003 is MUCH MUCH MUCH better than Open Office for example.
This lessens demand for the generally considered "inferior OSS" products, and that is why only small almost insignificant OSS products ever make any headway into the windows/mac markets.
OSS IMHO is at its most successfull on an open source OS like Linux. That is why I am so against proprietary software in Linux, it will end up stifeling innovation and ultimately development.
John
Macbook Pro
I don't see what the difference is.
97% of the users on these forums use a Free operating system and non-Free software/codecs.
How is that any different from using a non-Free operating system and Free software?
Ubuntu Green Coffee Beans
No, it isn't, at least not in my experience and you really seem to have an amazingly low opinion of OSS software, to put it mildly.
You mean like firefox and apache for example?
Oh and the whole base of OSX is OSS btw.
Gee! These Aren't Roasted!
Not to fork the thread John but competition between OSS and proprietary products drive both platforms to be better and is better for everyone. It does not stiffle innovation on either platform but encourages it because now you have to differentiate yourself from the other to effectively compete. Firefox and IE are examples of this. Mozilla has put a lot of time and effort to make a great browser to compete with IE. That spurred a quick adoption of it by even a lot of non techies and cut into IE's market share. MSFT has now responded by making IE7 and is incorporating many of the features of FF plus adding new ones. Mozilla plans to answer that with the release later this year of FF 2.0. It will have a bunch of new improvements and features that IE will not have. This is a win win for the consumer who no matter which browser they prefer they will get a improved product.
I guess this is not off topic as I thought it was going to be. That is why OSS for Windows is a good thing. The improvements from competition filter into Linux so even the pure free software people benefit.
Manually installing software and setting up your system is always preferable. However, there is not one thing wrong with using Automatix for getting it done the easy way. Get Automatix2 Support Here
Quad Shot of Ubuntu
The only thing I will say about the firefox example is that as IE was allowed to basically "stagnate" for so many years, it was not hard for Firefox to swoop in and take some of its market share. IE has been crap for years.
Microsofts response? IE7. So Firefox, was, in this case, good for getting Microsoft to stop resting on their laurels, and helped development in the browser market.
BUT..... you'd be surprised at the number of people loving IE7, and by this I mean FIREFOX USERS loving IE7 so much, that they intend to switch back!
So when IE7 for XP goes final, and Vista is released, firefox are going to take a hit....... a big one!
For what i've seen, I dont really see anything in Firefox 2.0 that will stop this.
So, watch how proprietary software in this case will have a detrimental effect on its Open Source alternative.
John
EDIT: Which is a real shame because I love firefox.......
Gee! These Aren't Roasted!
Have you ever studied how market economics works? So what if a few people switch back to IE7. Many of those people will run right back to Firefox when 2.0 is released to get some new feature not in IE7. I also have heard from many people testing the IE7 Beta complaining it is crap and they will switch to Firefox. You are just plain wrong on this but you will not set aside your feelings for five minutes to think about the benefits of open competition in the market place.
Manually installing software and setting up your system is always preferable. However, there is not one thing wrong with using Automatix for getting it done the easy way. Get Automatix2 Support Here
Quad Shot of Ubuntu
I'm a Marketing and Economics graduate......
I have my opinion, and I do have a clear reason why I believe this to be so, but does that make me right? Hell no........
Does that automatically make you right? Hell no.......
The truth is, as far as the software market goes, it is pretty much unpredictible, I wouldnt be surprised if something happened to make us both wrong!
Take Ubuntu...... who could have predicted that a Multi Millionaire would step in and create a Distro that overnight (in relitive terms) would turn the whole Linux movement on its head?
All we will ever have is supposition.
My opinions do ultimately stem from idealism, so I apologise if thats mildely annoying!
All the best!
John
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