Re: [OS:N:] Know thine enemy...

[Matt Jezorek <matt bluelinux org>]

I agree totally!

I am constantly surfing sourceforge and freshmeat looking for 
educational applications and packaging them, we are thinking about 
posting a complete (well as complete as we can get it) for open source 
educational applications.

Just an Idea but I do agree, I also think more action less talk is in 
need. Lets not talk about it lets get out and do it.

Matt

KC Connor wrote:

> Hey all -
>
>  
>
> We need to examine our perspective here a little bit.  Open source 
> does not guarantee Linux, and Linux does not guarantee open source.  
> The two ideas are not mutually inclusive. 
>
>  
>
> Examples:  there is a wonderful graphics manipulation program you all 
> may have heard of, called the GIMP?  How about StarOffice/OpenOffice?  
> Yes, these applications do run on Linux.  They also have versions 
> available for Microsoft operating systems.  They also have versions 
> for Solaris and BSD.  Solaris and BSD are not GNU open sourced, and we 
> don't get rabid and foam at the mouth when we hear them mentioned... 
> On the contrary, we consider them allies.  Why is Sun our ally?  
> Granted, they developed Java and gave it to everyone in a quasi- GNU 
> manner, but they still do not give you access to the Solaris 8 source 
> code, or their numerous network management suites.
>
>  
>
> Conversely, maybe you have heard of Adobe, or Corel?  Acrobat reader 
> is available for Linux.  Yes, it's free, but it certainly isn't open 
> source.  XPDF sucks in comparison.  Open a piece of sheet music in pdf 
> form and compare between Acrobat reader and XPDF.  You'll see.  Corel 
> makes an office suite for Linux that competes with StarOffice, 
> Koffice, and Gnome's new office project.  It's not open source.
>
>  
>
> What is my point?  Here it comes.
>
>  
>
> If you want schools to embrace open source, then you need to get them 
> hooked on great software first.  They will switch OS's when they 
> become satisfied with new open source software packages.  Quit 
> complaining about Microsoft.  I don't own stock in them, and I am not 
> a friend of Bill Gates.  I think their manipulation of the industry is 
> deplorable.
>
>  
>
> Look at the name of this mailing list.  Open Source Now.  Not "Pimp 
> RedHat on Schools," not "M$ $ux," nor any other derivative.  Scour 
> Tucows and Sourceforge for educational open source software that has 
> ports for Linux and MS.  Teachers on this list that have programming 
> classes, have your students develop software under GNU that you first 
> develop for MS, then port to Linux.  Or vice versa.  Once you 
> undermine MS Office with the Windows port of OpenOffice, your job is 
> 3/4 done.
>
>  
>
> Think of this project (Open Source migration) much like trimming a 
> tree.  You have a shape you want in your head.  You might even want to 
> change the direction the entire trunk and roots of the tree grow.  You 
> start by trimming leaves and smaller branches, though, rather than 
> chopping the entire tree down and starting over.  Or perhaps you're a 
> northwest lumberjack in Redmond.  You see a great big tree, but it's 
> so big you can't chop it all down at once.  So you sling your way up 
> the tree and start chopping pieces at a time.
>
>  
>
> On a very important side note, how do you folks deal with the 
> Macintosh Gestapo Nazis?