Hi all,
Here is an article written by Kevin Carmony,Linspire CEO. A good one to
read,
Kevin Carmony :
Often people lump a lot of things together, that may or may not always be
found together in a Linux product. Many assume all things related to
"Linux" are:
1. Based on the Linux Kernel
2. Free (no cost)
3. Open sourced
These are three different things, and they can at times be mixed and
matched.
For example, Ubuntu is 1, 2 & 3. A lot of Red Hat product is 1 and 3, but
not 2. Linspire is 1, but not 2, and only partially 3. The regular version
of Freespire is 1, 2 and partially 3, and The OSS Edition of Freespire is 1,
2 & 3. So as you can see, when someone says "Linux," it could mean
different things.
Some people are drawn to Linux because of just one or two of these. Some
just like the technology, regardless of cost or how open it is. They just
like the fact there are fewer viruses, etc., and that it's good to have
something out there competing with Microsoft. Some are drawn to it because
of the low to no cost, while others like the philosophy of the code being
open. However, you don't need to want or appreciate all three before you
can find value in Linux. This would be like saying someone couldn't enjoy
eating at McDonalds unless they want a burger, drink and fries. Well,
sometimes, someone may just want a burger, or just a drink.
As for me personally, I'm drawn to Linux mostly because it's an alternative
to Microsoft's offerings (#1). I do like and appreciate that most code is
open sourced, and I like that Linux tends to cost less, but I certainly
don't need every inch of code to be open and everything to be free for me to
run it. For example, I think Photoshop is a great product, and if it were
available for Linux, I'm sure I'd buy it if it were reasonably priced, even
if the code wasn't open. For me it's about trust in the vendor (Microsoft
has lost that) and a FAIR and REASONABLE cost (Microsoft, because of their
monopoly in certain areas, has taken advantage of this area). Others,
however, would never touch Photoshop because it's not free and/or open
sourced. I have no problem with that, and respect their freedom to make
that choice. I don't object to them wanting to choose only FOSS, but
sometimes "they" do very much object to my freedom to only choose the
technology, without the happy meal of FOSS along as well. Some get upset
when you are enjoying the technology of Linux, without joining the religion
of OSS. They view this as someone walking into a church, and just enjoying
the peace and beauty of the church, without becoming a full-fledged member
of that church.
For those who are just looking for an alternative OS to compete with
Microsoft's monopoly, then Mac, Linspire, and others are doing that. For
those who insist to never run any software other than open source software,
there are choices for that (although I have yet to meet, in person, such an
individual, because even the most ardent FOSS supporters, when I meet with
them, will admit they use Java, or Flash, or nVidia drivers, or...).
Freespire is about letting the user make that choice, not some religious
leader of a movement. Total freedom, that's Freespire.
Kevin
--
Regards,
C.C.Chakkaradeep,
Novatium Solutions Limited,Chennai.
http://www.novatium.com
http://www.yoper.com
http://wiki.freespire.org/index.php/Freespire_Community_Board_Home
--
"Sometimes it's better not to ask - or to listen - when people tell you
something can't be done. I didnt ask for permission or approval. I just went
ahead and did it." - from "Direct from Dell"
