Valve Corporation's Steam is coming to Linux in 2012

[kio_http]

Um, Photoshop on Linux would not hinder Gimp's development. GIMP exists outside of the Linux world, it's quite popular. Not everyone can afford Adobe Photoshop.

Photoshop on Linux would give users choice, and actually offer competition which encourages development.

Hmm people don't seem to be interpreting what I am saying correctly. That was a hypothetical example. I don't mean it like "Photoshop on Linux". I mean 99% of users opting for Photoshop instead of Gimp on Linux would be a bad thing.

Or even like Ms office on Linux (I know it is not likely no need to flood me with comments about that not happening) would hinder the development of Libreoffice and Calligra.

[vexorian]

It will only be a good thing for LibreOffice and GIMP if they have to compete with MSO and Photoshop. Competition is always good for everyone.

[forrestcupp]

i.e Use photoshop when gimp does the job. Why? Simply because the progress of alternative FOSS projects is hindered. Had they been using Gimp, they might have submitted valuable feedback and bug reports.

Lol. I understand what you're trying to say, and I agree with the heart of it. But you're digging yourself in a hole by using examples like that. Lot's of people would see that and argue fiercely that Gimp is not good enough to do the job.

I know what you're trying to say, though. What I think you're trying to say is that you don't have a problem with proprietary software when it's needed, but you would hate to see Ubuntu turn into a platform where it has just become another OS where the majority of the software people use is proprietary, and they don't care about FOSS at all. I agree that would be very sad if that happened. But I don't think we have anything to worry about. Ubuntu may become more mainstream and be one of the most watered down distros, but the heart of the community will never forsake FOSS, like Android did with the Linux kernel.

[kio_http]

Lol. I understand what you're trying to say, and I agree with the heart of it. But you're digging yourself in a hole by using examples like that. Lot's of people would see that and argue fiercely that Gimp is not good enough to do the job.

I know what you're trying to say, though. What I think you're trying to say is that you don't have a problem with proprietary software when it's needed, but you would hate to see Ubuntu turn into a platform where it has just become another OS where the majority of the software people use is proprietary, and they don't care about FOSS at all. I agree that would be very sad if that happened. But I don't think we have anything to worry about. Ubuntu may become more mainstream and be one of the most watered down distros, but the heart of the community will never forsake FOSS, like Android did with the Linux kernel.

I agree but if Ubuntu does become popular and gain around 20% market share there is a large possibility that loads of these users chose Ubuntu because they like its interface or something and might not even know anything about source code, licenses etc. Then proprietary software vendors will seize this opportunity and release a lot of non free software for Ubuntu. If this happens, personally I would not like it. The problem is most people who care about free software already use Ubuntu and other distros. If Ubuntu were to become more popular there is a high probability that many users would not care at all about FOSS.

[forrestcupp]

But there are a lot of those users who would never come to Ubuntu if there weren't Linux versions of the proprietary software they need to use. And there is a high probability that those people in that situation who might come to Ubuntu because of the user interface would be greatly exposed to the concept of Free Software where they never would at all, otherwise.

You even said yourself that it's ok to use proprietary software when needed, though I suspect that you may have said that to prevent a thrashing.

There are a lot more instances than you think that people would need to use proprietary software. Not everyone only uses their computer just to get on the internet and check their Facebook and email.

[kio_http]

But there are a lot of those users who would never come to Ubuntu if there weren't Linux versions of the proprietary software they need to use. And there is a high probability that those people in that situation who might come to Ubuntu because of the user interface would be greatly exposed to the concept of Free Software where they never would at all, otherwise.

You even said yourself that it's ok to use proprietary software when needed, though I suspect that you may have said that to prevent a thrashing.

There are a lot more instances than you think that people would need to use proprietary software. Not everyone only uses their computer just to get on the internet and check their Facebook and email.

No, I have nothing against non-free and free software existing. But I am against, policies that interfere with free software development and non-free software that is just plain evil like iOS.

[forrestcupp]

No, I have nothing against non-free and free software existing. But I am against, policies that interfere with free software development and non-free software that is just plain evil like iOS.

Since Ubuntu itself is FOSS, I don't think you have to worry about any policies like that here.

[kio_http]

Since Ubuntu itself is FOSS, I don't think you have to worry about any policies like that here.

I'm not saying that I am worrying but it can happen in different ways. I do not welcome lets say a 3rd party app store for Ubuntu with evil policies, software plagued with DRM etc.

[forrestcupp]

I'm not saying that I am worrying but it can happen in different ways. I do not welcome lets say a 3rd party app store for Ubuntu with evil policies, software plagued with DRM etc.

Lol. Well, nobody has to welcome it, but that's out of anyone's control. Anyone is allowed to do what they want with their software as long as it doesn't break the law. And some people go ahead and do what they want with their software even though it does break the law.

Basically, you don't have to like it, but if it happens, nobody can stop it. There are a lot of things in this world that I don't like that are out of my control.

[kio_http]

Lol. Well, nobody has to welcome it, but that's out of anyone's control. Anyone is allowed to do what they want with their software as long as it doesn't break the law. And some people go ahead and do what they want with their software even though it does break the law.

Basically, you don't have to like it, but if it happens, nobody can stop it. There are a lot of things in this world that I don't like that are out of my control.

I know that it is out of control and that users and developers can do what they want. I'm just saying that stuff like DRM and Apple's policy on locking iOS, etc are unethical practices.