[OS:N:] OSCON and OS Eduction BoF and the future

["Bob Houghton" <houghton email wcu edu>]

Bryant,

Thanks for pulling folks together on this topic. I look forward to
hearing the wisdom you collect there. Please share when you return.

Cost is the primary factor in the spread of innovations. But that does
not mean that other factors are not important. One must have access. It
is not yet sufficiently accessible. Yes, it is free for the download,
but even for many active computer users, the complexities of install,
setup, and transfer of data into new applications is too high a bar with
too much risk. Dual boot just adds to the complexity. The only safe way
is to buy a second computer just for Linux, et al and that drives the
cost factor back up.

Linux and Open Source have met the technological challenge of developing
an effective competitor as an OS. Free Hotspots (wireless) in many
communities may solve the online access problem. But what stands behind
the Mac and Win OSs are layers of effective organizations of people,
from the corporate vendor down through in-institution technical help.
Open Source must decide if it is willing to deal with the next challenge
of developing something similar or better. The Salvation Army, the Red
Cross and others built their way up from grass-roots issues. Is the Open
Source initiative that motivated? 

Red Hat and others have wisely chosen not to wait on the all volunteer
model, and therefore theirs is based on cost for service. It takes a
long time to build something to match the scale of Microsoft so things
are moving slowly.

One genius started and continues Linux; others champion other code
projects. Can the coders develop code which takes so little maintenance
and has such great online automated code updating that others can build
a free technical resource team. It will most likely take someone to
develop a "kernel" of a volunteer organization that can scale to
national levels to handle the technical support needed here. What social
kernels within or outside Open Source do we have that can scale? 

I believe that organizational leadership is the next major challenge
facing the free Open Source movement. Universal access to issues,
debate, help and knowledge for all sides of the digital divide on all
continents are just part of the goals and rewards. The cost of failure
remains universal access to weapons of destruction. Ending that cycle of
waste more quickly is a significant inspiration as well.

Is the Open Source initiative that motivated?

Sorry that I can't be with you at the Conference. How can I help?

Bob Houghton
http://ceap.wcu.edu/houghton/EDELCompEduc/Ch1/linux.html
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