Re: [microsound] MUTE article on PD + free software

[Kevin Ponto <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> On Apr 7, 2005 12:02 PM, Kevin Ponto <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > However, I have found, in almost every case (there are exceptions),
> > that there is a proprietary application that beats the pants off of 
> > any
> > open source alternatives.
>
> the apache webserver is a notable exception.

I agree.

> also, i'm not sure what you mean by 'beating the pants off'. for
> instance, i would say linux toasts m$ windows on almost any comparison
> you'd care to make: stability, configurability, hardware support
> [linux loves old hardware- try running xp on a 486 with 16MB memory],
> cost, network security.

Well, compare almost (again, some exceptions) anything, open source or 
otherwise,  with a Microsoft product and Microsoft will lose.

> > Take Firefox for example. I jumped on that bandwagon and hollered from
> > the mountaintops just like everyone else, and I install it for every
> > willing PC user I come across, but I don't use it. I find the 
> > interface
> > clunky (though much better than Mozilla) and the user experience
> > lacking.
>
> as i'm sure you can recognize, these are purely subjective criteria
> ['clunky' and 'user experience lacking']. i work as a web developer
> and there is no comparison in my book- firefox beats ie across the
> board. two words: tabbed browsing

Absolutely, it's completely subjective. Again, comparing it to a 
Microsoft product. The worst Microsoft product I might add, and as a 
fellow web developer, I feel your pain. I still find Safari to provide 
a better overall user experience.

> also, as you mention, sometimes open source software requires you to
> have a better understanding of what's going on than proprietary
> software does. in fact, that's one of the selling points of
> proprietary software- it's "easy".

I think this is exactly what the FLOSS movement is missing. The techies 
can all shout about how great open source is, but until it becomes 
"easy" like a great deal of proprietary software, it's going to have a 
hell of a time taking off. I think it's the one thing keeping Linux out 
of the big time. Although we are starting to see some improvements in 
that area, we still have a ways to go. We need graphical installers, we 
need pretty UI's, we need plug and play, we need "good user 
experiences" if we expect the average Joe to hop on board. You 
shouldn't have to know how to compile source code to use a computer 
anymore than you should have to know how to swap a transmission in 
order to drive a car.

> i think we can co-exist? do you?

I'm totally on your side though. I just think open source still has a 
long way to go.


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