I'm creating an updated image for the SSS cd, and I'd like feedback. What does the group think about including non-final software on the disc. For example, the version of Audacity on the current disc is 1.1.3. From the Audacity home page (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), this appears to be the latest "stable" release. However, they also have 1.2.0pre1 available.
In a situation like this, which would you choose? I tend toward the newer release -- but I know I will keep track of the software and get the "final" release when it's ready. I'll also be more forgiving of minor bugs because I know its beta software. Would our intended audience understand this? We don't want to give them a sour experience when they're first trying OSS.
Of course, I may be over-analyzing . . .
Dave
It may need to be done on a case by case basis. I use Audacity 1.2.0pre1 and I haven't had any issues with it. I think the general opinion on OpenOffice is 1.1rc4 (and rc3 for that matter) are spectacularly better then 1.0.3.1.
I would suggest though that if we put these on the CD that we have some kind of explanation. I would worry that some might look at it and say "Oh, this is BETA software, and that is why it is free (as in gratis)" rather than understanding that this is OSS and libre. A short paragraph or two on the main index page might be sufficient to make clear the distinction. After explaining briefly the open source idea and the difference between gratis and libre (or the more common "free as in beer, free as in speech" phrase-ology which may not fly so well at BYU :-), having a couple of paragraphs like:
"We have included the very latest versions of these software packages. In some cases these will include release candidates or pre-release versions. Unlike many proprietary and commercial software companies who release early or beta versions gratis and later charge for the so-called "full" versions, Open Source Software will always be available free/libre and free/gratis. We have included these early release versions because the BYU UUG felt strongly that the additional functionality and naturally greater stability of Open Source Software was worth including. Version numbering in the Open Source community tends to be much more conservative than in the more sales-oriented proprietary-software industry, so the Open Source release candidate will be much more stable than most "full release" versions of proprietary software.
"And because Open Source software is both gratis and libre, you can get the full release versions at any time (once they are available) for free/libre/gratis, either by downloading them from the web sites referenced on this CD, or by talking with a BYU UUG member, who will help you get the newest version."
This is just a quick stab at the verbiage, so feel free to grammar check and edit it to death.
Just some ideas,
Adam Augustine____________________
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