Re: [Staffslug] Meeting Agenda
2009/2/25 Tig <staffslug(a)caveconnect.com>:
On Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 11:41 AM, Kevanf1 <kevanf1(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
> I may just take the opportunity to see if I can persuade them to do a
> slot about open source software too. It won't be on tomorrow as the
> schedule is solely for Freecycle. It is going to be a regular money
> saving slot though so open source software fits the bill nicely.
I might be opening a can of worms here but this is connected to saving money...
How do people feel about having a legal fully licenced computer. One
of the key things I like about Open Source is that I can afford to
have a fully legit and paid for computer system, I know that when I
was younger and as a student I would often have dodgy copies of
propitiatory applications and OSes kicking around but I am pleased to
say that I now run a totally clean ship :) In my experience
virtually every home computer I have seen has has some form of pirated
or unlicensed software on it ranging from a copy of Office that is
licenced to work to Winzip (now of day 378 of your 30 day trial
period) and I know many people just accept it, partly because they
see no value in getting valid software and partly because it is
expensive too.
Is this an angle that is worth pushing? You can be free and legal
and not have to buy anti-virus programs!
Just a random thought :)
Well, there is a big argument in some open source circles that goes,
'by using illegal, pirated software, it is doing harm to open source
software because there is no incentive to use it.'
Oh, there are also some excellent free to use (not sure about open
source apart from clamAV) malware suites available. Plus, Winzip
encourages you to register and buy but does legally allow you to use
it after the trial period (unless it's changed since version 8 which I
rarely use). It just keeps nagging at you everytime you run it, known
appropriately enough as nagware.
--
==============================================
Kevan Farmer
Linux user #373362
Staffordshire