I think that Free and Open Source Software Movement, though it binds many people with different views together, is more about freedom than about features.
Joe User is as concerned about freedom as he is concerned about the torque value on the nuts holding the engine of his SUV together.
What matter to him are features--cupholders, four wheel-drive, a bangin' sound system. (or in the software world: web browsing, email reading, porn viewing, whatever).
Trying to sell "freedom" to people is really difficult. I've tried--they look at me blankly. Their next question is telling what does the free software do that I can't do with what I have now?.
I appreciate and applaud the fact that the *movement* is all about freedom, but let's not kid ourselves-- freedom isn't going to bring people flocking to the FOSS banner. Killer Apps, Stability and Security will.
I don't think too many FOSS programmers are all that concerned with popularity. They certainly aren't going to make a kiling with their stock options when they see that their market share is going up.
Other that the satisfaction of a job well-done, what reward is there?
Slashdot Mirror
I think that Free and Open Source Software Movement, though it binds many people with different views together, is more about freedom than about features. Joe User is as concerned about freedom as he is concerned about the torque value on the nuts holding the engine of his SUV together. What matter to him are features--cupholders, four wheel-drive, a bangin' sound system. (or in the software world: web browsing, email reading, porn viewing, whatever). Trying to sell "freedom" to people is really difficult. I've tried--they look at me blankly. Their next question is telling what does the free software do that I can't do with what I have now?. I appreciate and applaud the fact that the *movement* is all about freedom, but let's not kid ourselves-- freedom isn't going to bring people flocking to the FOSS banner. Killer Apps, Stability and Security will.
I don't think too many FOSS programmers are all that concerned with popularity. They certainly aren't going to make a kiling with their stock options when they see that their market share is going up.
Other that the satisfaction of a job well-done, what reward is there?