Realization

     July 4, 2011 we had a debate regarding a few questions our Professor Ms. Lydia Nosa had given. We have to choose from four choices (always true, always false, mostly true, mostly false). I opted to answer mostly true and mostly false. As I believe that nothing in this world is certain. We can never say that a certain thing is always true or always false. In relation to Open Source Technology (OST) against "Licensed Software" nothing is certain. Both have their respective ups and downs. A lot have said that in the next 5 years OST will dominate the world of computer but die hard "Licensed Software" fans have argued that OST have still obstacles to face as its stability and profitability is not clear. 

    For me, a customer who can purchased a licensed software and will get the appropriate service he/she expects and deserved then this customer will become trusty of licensed software. But if things turn out the opposite from what he/she expects the customer will then consider using OST. This is the reason why OST is having its so called prominence. "Users have limitless desires". With OST, as long as you know how to create your own version skies the limit for you. "User Freedom".
     As I said in the beginning of this article nothing is certain. We just have wait and see if the egg will hatch. But will never know maybe Microsoft together with other software companies will launch an all out attack against OST and then win the battle. I just hope this will not spark the World Ward IV.

Ideology vs Monopoly

-nikol- 

Reaction to the movie Revolution OS

     The movie documentary has given me a lot of understanding what Open Source Technology really is. In the past I have thought that Open Source means that the software is for free and it kept me wondering how software companies would gain profit. After watching the movie I fully understand that Open Source software is not entirely for free. Open Source means that the source code will be given to users where they can modify or correct an error/bug that he/she can share also to the community. In this manner the Open Source will have quick releases of version and have a numerous people contributing which in this case are concerned users. Even though this opposes software engineering methods and does not follow any system model it became successful.

     From all the people who have been interviewed in the movie I admire the most is Richard Stallman the founding father of the Free Software Association/ GNU movement. His ideology about having free software and forming a community where people can share what they learn from playing with the free software is the main reason why Open Source is having its success. Its a human nature to share. In fairness to Linus Torvalds and other people who have believed in the ideology of Richard Stallman but was able to gain profits with their work, it is just a human nature to have compensation for what you have done and gain credit for it.

      Personally the movie inspires me to work harder on school because I also want to contribute in the world of computer and not become a "the archetypal, you know, the guy in a suit looking at a scruffy hacker" describe by Eric Raymond in the beginning of the movie.