Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again)
To   : comp.programming
From : Chris Sonnack
Date : Mon Aug 29 2005 11:06 pm

Randy Howard writes:

>> And consumers have shown over and over that price comes before
>> quality.
> 
> If that was completely true, open source software would have 
> basically all of the market right now.

Agreed.  There are many factors that influence perceptions.

One of them is the perception free==crap.  The folks from whom
I bought my last dog (RIP <sniff>) were originally giving away
the pups.  No one (pardon the pun) bit.  Raised the price to
25USD and they (here I go again) ran away.

Price is one thing.  FREE is another.


I don't have time tonight to delve into this thread much, but I
had an interesting, perhaps telling, thought this morning:

I wonder how many non-programmer types who buy software would, in
their wildest imagination, imagine that it *should* be free.

Seems to me the only ones pushing this agenda are those with a
direct, and IMO rather selfish, perceived benefit.  *I* want to
modify my software.  *I* want to get free source code.

Seems to me, ultimately, the opposite of a moral position.

And I've skimmed the thread...still not seeing anyone come up with
a moral platform based on anything other than personal opinion.
Frankly, as I've said, I doubt it's possible to construct one based
on first principles.


Well, enough of that.  Let's go on a YA Microsoft Rant.....  (-:

> Even without that, if consumers are willing to buy Microsoft 
> products provided the cost is low (enough), and are willing to 
> put up with virus, spyware, zombie-takeover and all the rest, 
> then they get what they deserve.  
> 
> If they want better, options are available, and many of them 
> actually cost less than Microsoft products, with or without open 
> source in the picture.

To my knowledge (which may be lacking--but if mine is, imagine how
lacking the average consumer's is), nothing comes close to MS stuff
in ease of use, ease of setup and connectivity with other products.

If my dad--the technophobe--can productively use a computer (and
he can), that says something.

And I've several times offered my "Microsoft Challenge".  Usually
no takers, let alone anyone who can come close.

Fact is, in the business world and in the average consumer world,
Microsoft is pretty good, DESPITE its flaws (which are many).

> Personally, I'd rather spend my time getting work done than 
> worrying about the latest 'outbreak' that my system needs to be 
> immunized against.

I get work done.  I use MS products heavily.  I don't worry much
about viruses, and they haven't been much of an issue.  And, again,
to the extent they HAVE been, the benefits outweigh the problems.

But then, I'm careful, keep anti-Virus software current and rarely
surf the net, and then nearly always to professional sites.  I'm
also careful about email, AND I live behind a firewall.

[shrug]

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