On Oct. 25, 2005, Guido Sohne wrote: > On Oct 18, 2005, Dr Richard Heeks wrote: > >> Ultimately, of course, "FOSS or not" is not the fundamental issue - the >> issue is how best to achieve developmental benefits via ICTs. If FOSS >> can in reality be shown to be the best path then let's have the >> > > There is no such thing as the best path. You don't want to have > everything looking like a nail because you have a hammer in your hand. > The FOSS/MS argument is really just at heart attempts by both sides to > gain mindshare, to grow the community/ecosystem and to keep it growing. > Historically, the developing world has been seen to have a good fit for > the technology. Unfortunately, FOSS being a *community* affair, would > also need a local community in order to take root and not just a local > community of end users, but including networking experts, web developers > and software developers. > ..snip...
I did read the whole thing, and I agree with quite a bit of it. Here's my core perspective: Anything that creates a trade subsidy to give the illusion of development is a farce. That includes, generally speaking, both FOSS and proprietary software - and yes, some FOSS is a trade subsidy for developing nations as well. The FOSS I advocate is not, but then again - it's not 'popular'. As the former Editor for LinuxGazette.com (which SSC has let go down the toilet), as a former 'Community Facilitator' for SSC - I can tell you that the focus is on selling people 'stuff' - not only software companies (FOSS and proprietary), but the media that represents them. Advertisers pay the bills, advertisers sell hardware and software, if you want to make money you have to keep the advertisers happy. That's business, and there is no getting around that. Or is there? Development isn't too 'popular' either. Maybe we have too many marketers in 'Development' and not enough people doing things. In fact, I believe that right now this is the case. The things which require effort to use are being cast aside for things that are easier to use - but there is a tradeoff. There is always a tradeoff. A lot of us sit around and only communicate with others who are interested in technology. We preach to the choir. Now, tell someone that they can make their lives easier or their quality of life higher, they may take interest. If you want to go with popular software to do so, then in 10 years those people will be buying or being forced not to use popular software. Help them create jobs supporting their own software, and in 10 years they will get it to work or they won't. FOSS is superior in the latter. Proprietary software is better in the former. But those are broad brush strokes. Yet being 'developed' is not a static thing - it's a race. Largely, FOSS supporters are trying to tell people that they can have something at no cost which they can help make better. Proprietary software advocates are about making a buck, and making more in the future. In between, there are FOSS-based or advocacy corporations which are trying to blend the two. And even they are the lesser of 'two' evils when it comes to development, because the user can create and/or maintain derivative works. Sure, they aren't falling out of trees to do so - but they are falling at a higher rate than proprietary software. There aren't that many computer programmers on the planet. The true benefits of FOSS are 10 years down the road - which is what development is supposed to be about. Proprietary software? In 10 years, they'll still be getting donations and paying for proprietary software, proprietary software certifications, etc. How long does everyone intend to do this development stuff? Is this a retirement plan for some people, or does anyone really want to solve the problem? It's not just FOSS, either. Renewable energy, open hardware, open CONTENT... In the interim, while people make money by not solving problems, these discussions will persist. And when they do, and I'm around, this is basically what I will say: Bandaid development sucks. -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: San Fernando, Trinidad [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran Coming on January 1st, 2006: http://www.OpenDepth.com "Criticize by creating." - Michelangelo ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
