There are many functional benefits to using Firefox over other browsers and Linux over other operating systems but the single most important one is support. Yes, you didn’t read that wrong, I’m praising the support structure behind open source products. Read my read world example below if you want to see why.
Archive for October, 2007
SA shuns Microsoft file formats
Excellent news emanating from the corridors of power: the SA government has endorsed Oasis‘ ODF in preference to the abomination Microsoft is trying to force-feed the world. Financial Mail’s Duncan McLeod is reporting on it here – although not quite in such colourful terms. 
But the real question is whether or not public service & administration minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi will stand her ground against the inevitable assault from Redmond. Time will tell.
Is the desktop ready for Linux?
People used to ask if Linux was ready for the desktop but if one looks at projects like Linspire, Xandros and Ubuntu, among others, the headline above probably contains the more pertinent question. Of course, these days some wags are asking if Vista is ready for the desktop – but I digress.
There’s an interesting piece by Joe Barr on Linux.com that asks a new question: Where Linux goes from here? With everybody and his dog clambering aboard the bandwagon, Linux is now mainstream but in the face of such success, will it remain true to its free software ideals and to the community which created it?
From the article:
“Linux is surrounded by proprietary IT firms. Some of them view Linux as a profit maker, others as a threat to their profits. Both sides represent a challenge for Linux in holding to its ideals of freedom and openess (sic).”
It’s an interesting dilemma. Barr postulates that the biggest threat to Linux, Microsoft, cannot help but join the party – eventually – by releasing it’s own Linux distribution. He writes:
“Such a move could solve a couple of problems for Microsoft. It has never really been very good at developing operating systems, and a move like that could not only free it from that chore, but provide a new basis for maintaining monopoly control over Microsoft Office: the GUI itself. Imagine the corporate appeal of a robust and secure Linux distribution coupled with 100% Microsoft Office and back office compatibility.”
Makes sense: if you can’t beat them; join them. Read the full story here.
Hat tip: Slashdot
Keeping your software options open
Buying computer software need not necessitate a second bond on your house. In this column, which ran in a weekly South African newspaper, The Weekender (22-23 September 2007), I looked at at a few open source alternatives to popular commercial software. It looks much better in print, with pictures and everything. You can subscribe here.
IN A world concerned with material goods it is typically true that quality is linked to price. However, in the computer software world, quality is not determined by the volume and cost of input.
Microsoft is own worst enemy
It seems that the FFII ( Förderverein für eine Freie Informationelle Infrastruktur or, in English, Promotion Association for a Free Information Infrastructure) has awarded Microsoft its “Best Campaigner against OOXML Standardization (sic)” prize.
Dubbed the “Kayak Prize 2007″ the award recognises Microsoft’s tireless efforts to aid the rejection of OOXML by ISO (International Standards Organisation). FFII president Pieter Hintjens explains: “By pushing so hard to get OOXML endorsed, even to the point of loading the standards boards in Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, and beyond, Microsoft showed to the world how poor their format is.
