On 7/17/06, Cocoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
1. i guess we can all agree on this: that legislation that mandates "open source" isn't really that wise. because:
No i disagree.
a) "open source" is a methodology, a way of building software
Its really about making software a free commodity. Its about allowing people to pay for hardware and get software for free. If everybody had a foundry nobody will be buying hammers right? Now if you sell hammers thats not good for you. Of course a foundry costs a lot thats why people buy hammers from stores. That different for open source software. Everybody can "afford the foundry" so to speak. Everybody meaning people who knows how to "operate the foundry".
b) a key ingredient for a successful open source project is a community of developers who believe in that particular project, who have an interest in its use/development
Its really about allowing people to use the software any way they liked. Not the way the vendor wanted them to use it. If we restrict open source development to vendors not the users then whats the difference? Even you can read the source code its illegal to make changes. Thats not good.
c) for all the good things open source method can do, it is not the answer for every software development there is and that said, d) it should be market forces that must determine the tools of the trade.
I totally disagree. I wrote a simple spreadsheet engine this morning. I wrote a new SMTP server last week. I might write a replacement for my non wimp gui next week. Whatever is needed. I don't even consider if i'm buying from a vendor. Its slow, its a lot of paperwork, most probably not meet my needs and expensive.
2. a "resolution"--- may be of greater use: Congress recognizes that Software, created on a level playing field such as what "Open Source" offers many great benefits to the Filipino people and advocates its use. And what great proof than a move by Congress to use Open Source software in its daily affairs? The PR value would be huge--- a blow to M$ and a big win for OSS. heck, it might just work in a land of pirated software to go open. just be prepared for a pissed off microsoft.
So what if M$ is pissed. just shows M$ has power over Filipinos. When Bill Gates says bend over we all bend over. My father was pissed because he needs to replace his 2 year old pc because likes to use vista. I told him that if Bill gates says update, you better. If bill gates says jump you jump or someone else will land on your toes. He will be even more pissed when his ms office 2007 beta expires. -- things i hate about my linux pc: 1. it takes more than a second to boot up 2. keeps asking about filenames and directories 3. does not remember what i was working on yesterday 4. does not remember all the changes i have ever made 5.cannot figure out necessary settings by itself _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
