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

[Kevin Ponto <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> All things considered, I say yes, use free software when appropriate -
> but no need to get all evangelical or preachy about it.  Instead,
> demonstrate what can be done, and give the beginners as many tutorials
> as possible to explain HOW it is done.

I'm rooting for the open source movement at every turn. I think in the 
long run, it's the only sustainable system for software, especially as 
our society's dependence upon software continues to grow. Proprietary 
code is a recipe for disaster, and I certainly don't want to be left 
out the cold when some company whose software I'm dependent upon goes 
under.

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. Not to say that all proprietary software is 
better than open source, but seems to be at least one in almost every 
category.

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. Same goes with Open Office, The Gimp, PD, Nvu and even Linux 
itself (all of which I've given the old college try, and all of which 
I've deserted for various usability reasons). They all, in my opinion, 
have far superior proprietary alternatives, and these alternatives 
often have enough going for them to outweigh whatever social benefits 
are gained by me using open source, or at least demand comparison.

How should one reconcile this? Should I sacrifice my user experience 
for the good of the commons? I've no actual programming skills (yet) so 
I am unable to contribute code. Is it enough that I preach but don't 
practice? Is it hypocritical or helpful?

The article mentioned the influence that software like Live has on 
one's music. Wouldn't the adoption of an entirely open source computer, 
drastically changing the environment in which I compose, have a much 
greater influence on my music than if I remained with the tools I 
currently have learned to use with great efficiency? Is PD considered 
free of influence?

I would argue that it takes much longer to learn a program like PD than 
it does something like Live, and while you're learning it, your ability 
to effectively realize your compositions are severely limited. Is this 
not an influence that the software has upon one's compositions? Doesn't 
it usually take many years to get to a point where you can use a 
program like PD with any great efficiency, and wouldn't these years of 
limitation have a drastic effect upon one's music?

k:p


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