Re: [Hampshire] Linux in need of articulate champions

On Fri, 26 Jan 2007, Tony Whitmore wrote:

> I think you're right.

You what!?!

Steady on there Tony, are you feeling ok?

:)

> I also think that "we" are wrong to consider such people a solid part of
> the FLOSS movement.

Interesting use of quotes there :)

I don't really consider myself part of the FLOSS movement, I have nothing
against FLOSS, I use it everyday and I'm a strong advocate of Linux
(especially in a server environment), but I've also made a reasonable
living for the last 20 years from writing non FLOSS software and I'm quite
willing to pay (a reasonable price) for software which does what I want.

> Aaaaanyway, my point is that users who don't appreciate the Freedom part
> of FLOSS are, IMHO, likely to move away when something "better" but
> proprietary comes along.

I think that is true of the vast majority of users, assuming the
"something better" is within their price range.

I'm considering an Apple laptop next time I upgrade (probably towards the
end of this year) mainly because of the form factor/features/price point
of the hardware rather than anything to do with the software it runs, but
if I do I'm unlikely to install Linux on it.

> It's an issue for everyone who owns an iPod and uses iTunes, for
> example. That's a *lot* of people. Perhaps most of them haven't yet been
> "bitten" by DRM

Yes, that was what I was trying to say, while DRM is here and already far
too restrictive (IMO) for most people it hasn't become an issue yet.

> > That's all you can do really, but IMO it's also important not to come
> > across as a zealot as that makes it too easy for people to dismiss you.
>
> I won't take that personally. ;)

Good, it wasn't meant that way.

There are however some people I speak to at Linux events who give me the
impression they think I will burn in hell for using closed source or
proprietary software, and quite frankly (though I admit possibly unfairly)
I tend to dismiss pretty much everything they say from that point on.

If you come across as a fanatic people will shy away from your opinions,
the key (again IMO) especially in a commercial/corporate environment is to
make reasoned arguments and stress the benefits not rant about the evils
of proprietary software.

Andy