Advice on Open Source Software

[lizthefair]

I'm what you might call a "computer geek once removed" or an advanced amateur in most things computing. Due to the geeky influences in my life have come to be a real believer in the value of Open Source software, especially for people and organizations who can't afford to pay the extreme costs of traditional software.

The difficulty is lots of people who would really benefit from open source software have either never heard of it, or are too intimidated by the geek culture surrounding it to give it a shot.

I've created a lens over at Squidoo (what can I say, I'm addicted) to help walk people though their first install of Open Office and to set them on the path to finding other packages that might be of interest to them.

I'd really appreciate it if some of the folks here with more experience than I would take a look to see if I've missed anything.

Additionally, if you know next to nothing about open source, I'd appreciate your view of how "user friendly" the site is.

Thanks!!

(The link is in my sig)

[Kiba]

"Open source" softwares are superior a lot of time, sure.

But you're missing the larger moral/ethical aspect, here.

The real value of "open source" is freedom. The freedom to share copies with your friend, the freedom to modify the softwares, the freedom to study the software as you wish.

You see, it doesn't matter how expensive or cheap "open source" is. The freedom is really the defining feature of "open source" softwares. All superiority of softwares are temporary and any competent proprietary vendors worth its salt can match "open source" softwares in term of values and quality. Any proprietary vendors can give their softwares away for free.

The real selling point is the liberty. That is the real value.

Now, I don't really use the term "open source" in my daily lives as a developer. I called them Free softwares as in free as in freedom. Open source to me is just trendy and marketingspeak. Open source is a term originated in 1998. Free softwares, which describe the same identical set of softwares, originated decade earlier. There is a movement called the Free software movement that spawn the open source movement. The difference is subtle.

It is very easy to relinquish your freedom. Software quality can come later.

That's why I used inferior flash player known as Gnash, just because it is Free softwares.

Free softwares are not necessary better but they either give you freedom or protect your.

Don't fall for "Free/Open Source is ALWAY better than proprietary softwares" crap. It's BS.

[geekchic9]

I agree with Kiba. Free/Libre/Open Source Software is good mainly because of the freedom it represents. However, there are areas where it is weak, such as on the business side of things. It's great for programmers, web servers, and hobbyists. However, until it catches up to Microsoft and other proprietary companies in business in, say, accounting software or device drivers, it won't be widely adopted by the populace.

I'm not trying to be mean. I'm trying to be realistic here. I run Linux and I love the philosophy behind Free Software. This is based on personal experience and questions from skeptics who don't share my love of all things Free. In selling anything, it's always good to keep in mind the weaknesses and strengths of the product you're trying to sell, and to adjust your expectations as a result of that.

[Kiba]

Originally Posted by geekchic9

However, until it catches up to Microsoft and other proprietary companies in business in, say, accounting software or device drivers.

Device drivers?

You do realize that the linux kernel is one of the most if not the most supported platform on this planet? It can run on supercomputers, desktop, and whatnot.

MS is lucky/shrewd that it have extensive support from the OEM vendors.

However with dell offering computers preinstalled with Ubuntu, the Linux desktop is sure catching up fast.

[lizthefair]

Thanks to both of you.

I know philosophically the freedom part is what's really important. And I get that maybe I'm being a bit naive about just how good the software is right now.

The thing is, at $500 a seat a small non-profit could go broke paying for all the seats of word they use. I think in a lot of situations an Open Source alternative is the way to go. And those people don't do it, because they don't know it's an option.

I've added a bit more about the freedom aspect-- and will think about doing more on that angle in the next couple of days.

Thanks for your forthright feedback. It's much appreciated.

[geekchic9]

Originally Posted by Kiba

Device drivers?

You do realize that the linux kernel is one of the most if not the most supported platform on this planet? It can run on supercomputers, desktop, and whatnot.

I wish many wireless Ethernet PCMCIA cards were as supported as well as the Linux kernel is. My experience was with Ubuntu 7.04, and you can read some instructions on how to get most cards working in that distribution.

I'm sorry I wasn't this specific the first time I spoke about device drivers.