Hello all, On this recent discussion on yes/no GNU/Linux, I saw this and that popped up a question for me:
On 1/21/07, Dave Crossland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: <snip>
If more people are aware of why freedom and community matter, then they will buy more products that support freedom and community, like more Neos.
<snip> How does adding three more letters and a / increase people's knowledge on free and open software? Let's look at an example: Joe Schmoe goes into a store to buy a new phone. He sees a large selection of phones in the store. He's in the market of a smartphone, so he choses the department of smartphones. And then goes looking at the specs and the software bundled with the phone. He sees that he can choose between phones that run Microsoft Windows Mobile, Symbian, PalmOS, Nokia proprietary OS, Sony/Ericsson proprietary OS, and GNU/Linux. Then looks at the software. Okay, Windows has a nice layout, and has some really nice apps. PalmOS' UI is nicely integrated, all apps look decent, though the input system is something to get used to. Symbian looks dated and both S/E's as well as Nokia's system look clunky. The GNU/Linux package looks nice too, and look this one even has GPS built-in, and has all accessories added in the bundle for merely $350! That looks like a great system. I'll take it. Joe Schmoe doesn't care whether it's GNU/Linux or 'just' Linux. It's not as if he's going to Google "GNU/Linux" while he's in the store to find out the core-principles of the software. What he does care about is that It Just Works(tm). If he takes it out of the box, and charges the unit does the phone work, can he call his buddies to tell about his new acquisition, can he text his mates, can he use the calendar? It should just work, and easily without having to hack the system. (this should especially hold true for the 'consumer phone' that was announced in Openmoko's press release) Sure, credit where credit is due, and I don't see any problem with having the manual refer to GNU/Linux (but I also have no qualms if it doesn't). But I think it's a bit farfetched to attribute 3 letters and a / to all-customer awareness of the principles behind it. If someone buys the phone merely on the grounds that it runs Linux, chances are he or she is already aware of the history and ideals behind GNU and Linux. Let's not get lost in this bottomless pit of misconceptions and well-intended suggestions. And let's focus our efforts on making this phone a device which Just Works! :) This has been my two cents. -- Marcel de Jong _______________________________________________ OpenMoko community mailing list [email protected] https://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
