Perens on Patents

lewiz writes "An interesting interview with Bruce Perens over at the BBC. He's up discussing the role of HP, IBM, et al and the move towards Linux. However, his main point is about software patents and how they are much more of a problem than SCO: 'We're looking at a future where only the very largest companies will be able to implement software, and it will technically be illegal for other people to do so.'"

Comments

And when given the choice:

[Perianwyr Stormcrow]

When given the choice between:

having a general purpose system that does 50% of what I need to do

having a general purpose system that does 100% of what I need to do

I am always going to pick the second. Linux does not have:

Illustrator (lack of this is HUGE, and don't tell me to use Sodipodi 'cause it ain't cuttin' it.)
Photoshop (don't tell me to use the GIMP, I've been having this argument with people for 6 years and it is not holding any more water.)

You also can't play Ultima Online on it (at least if you want to use UOAssist.)

Now, that isn't to say that Linux doesn't kick ass for certain specialized applications. 3d comes to mind- there are many many high quality 3d apps you can get for it, and most of them are things I would not mind using, (assuming someone else paid for them, ha ha.)

But it's not a platform for graphic or industrial designers- yet. And I've been saying that yet for years and years so who knows.

I will however agree that Linux would work for all of my non gamer non graphics professional friends who have Win98 PCs infested with porn spyware and trojans.