Computing Cultural Seachange
In this edition of Suite101 we explore some of the changes in public opinion that are responsible for the rise of alternative computing systems, such as linux.
Ever since I can remember, computing was something that happened inside of a beige box. But after years of playing, and working on these systems, many people found that they often did not meet their expectations or needs. To change anything or get support cost a lot of time, an arm and a leg. The thinking is, since I am investing my time into fixing this thing, I should at least be able to open the hood and have some tools to fix it.
Well, open source code, and free coding tools and compilers put the power of industrial strength tools into the hands of those willing to learn. A seachange is happening as users become dissatisfied with the status quo, and are willing to gamble that a free piece of software is a good investment, and a viable option for some business applications. As the code becomes more stable, with large companies supporting it, and smaller ones like Red Hat becoming flush enough to realize some of the deeper features which users crave. User documentation, graphical user interfaces, easy installers, and other features people have come to rely on. Not everyone wants to be a programmer, so making the Linux OS and apps more user-friendly will only propel software designers to write for the growing number of users.
Eric Raymond, writing in his Cathedral and bazaar essay shows how changes are happening which puts power into the hands of the people. What looked like a fad is now a trend. Trends become mainstream as time goes by, and nothing stands in its way to growth. The constant increases in buggy versions of new software, with additional license costs are the straw that will break the camel's back (double humped, you know.... M shaped). What the future holds now that the two are coming together, as seen in the investment of Intel, IBM, and other megaliths into the bazaar. This impending culture clash will result in some rude awakenings: code hackers don't like to be owned, and big companies don't always appreciate independent thinking. Maybe a mutually equitable solution will arrive that sees creative talent flourish, with the result being something commercially viable for the supporting companies. We all want success, it just means different things to different people. To learn what Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel, is up to now look at http://www.upside.com/texis/mvm/story?id....
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