[plug] Why bother?

[Simon Scott]

	hear hear

	Nice summation. Should call it the 'PLUGgers Manifesto' or something
:)




	From:	The Thought Assassin <assassin at live.wasp.net.au> on
23-04-2001 11:15 AM
	Please respond to plug at plug.linux.org.au@SMTP at Exchange
	To:	plug at plug.linux.org.au@SMTP at Exchange
	cc:	plug at plug.org.au@SMTP at Exchange 

	Subject:	Re: [plug] Why bother?

	On Sun, 22 Apr 2001, Richard Sharpe wrote:
	> Why bother, why not give into the borg and use M$ products?

	Because I have work to do, and need the best tools.

	> What is it that keeps you using Samba, or indeed any other open
source
	> software like Linux, FreeBSD, GIMP, etc.

	They are usually the best tools for the job. If they are not, at
least I
	know it is _my_fault_ and _I_ can fix them, instead of grumbling
about how
	long it takes $PROPRIETARY_VENDOR to fix their bugs, and getting
nothing
	done while I wait for the fixes or new features I need..

	> Are there any rational economic arguments for doing so?

	I get my work done, and the software doesn't get in my way. I don't
have
	to pay monopoly rates for service/support to the only company with
the
	source code. Free Software is often cheaper initially, too.

	> Isn't it easier to use M$ products because so many school levers
are
	> familiar with the products now that M$ have managed to weasel
their
	> curriculum into so many school and college boards ...?

	It's no easier for me, no. It might be easier for them, but they are
not
	working as effectively as me.

	> Isn't maintenance so much easier since so many people know how to
use their
	> products?

	I don't think anyone knows how to use closed source products to the
degree
	that Free Software users are able to (and often do) know theirs.

	> Aren't we just refusing to acknowledge that M$ have won? Shouldn't
we just
	> pay the M$ tax and get on with our lives?

	What have they won? M$ has a lot of money, but Free Software
developers
	have clear consciences, and generally better softeware.

	-Greg Mildenhall




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