Re: [aclug-L] Linux on store shelves

[jeffrey.hansen@xxxxxxxxxxx]

I guess I'm missing the whole point of this discussion.  Personally, I
don't care about proprietary software.  If an application does something
that I feel I can't live without and don't want to invest the time to
develop, it seems like all I'm surrendering in a license agreement is the
freedom to tweak the program.  If the vendor is willing to provide patches
at no cost then what's the harm?  The thing I see as the one problem Linux
has to avoid at all costs is the tendancy to fragment the distributions (in
the sense that there are extensions in one that are absent in another).  If
that becomes prevalent then application software won't play on all boxes.
If a proprietary piece of software is written to comply with a universal
set of interface specifications, then I'm of the opinion that the buyer is
last authority of it's acceptability.  An enterprise installation of any
system has to be supported universally enough that many sites can be made
to work together.  If everyone goes their own way with extensions and
performance tweaks then it will make things impossible for a business
environment.  I suppose all I'm trying to say with this is I don't believe
that a major software package should be developed only to turn the source
over to the "masses."  Most companies are in the business to make a profit
(except where I work, I'm afraid) so they won't want to just turn over the
goods and walk away after months and years of work.  There is ample
software in existence for those with the inclination to tinker, but I'd
personally be a bit hesitant to drive out all the others who might just aid
in the acceptance of Linux for those who want turnkey operation and pretty
interfaces.

Might be an invalid view, but I'm just voicing my view from the outside
looking in.  Just hit delete.  <g>

Jeff


---
This is the Air Capital Linux Users Group discussion list.  If you
want to unsubscribe, send the word "unsubscribe" to
aclug-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx.  If you want to post to the list, send your
message to aclug-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx.