This is why software is developed in teams with project leads who make the hard decisions based on community input. Look at the successful open source projects out there - Mozilla is getting things done like clockwork. That’s because they have structure, a plan and leadership.

This is what you have to do - you get a group of people who are interested in your idea, you implement it, and you toss it back at the community. Those who like it, can come on board and help support it. Those who don’t can just ignore it.

Having spent 8 years promoting open source to small and medium sized businesses I have occasioned to return to the community to get more involved. At which point I become reminded of the reasons OSS has such slow traction into business.

Some days its like the scene from Life of Brian where they are all sitting around trying to agree ( or Not Agree ! ) as to what they wish ( or not Wish) . etc etc etc.

I really like getting things done but I dont want to have to see every decision and idea and concept spend time being voted discussed reviewed approved collated wikid and eventually not done because its been talked to death.

The balance is ironically out there in open source development, you get something created and then see if it gets picked up and used. You dont ask people if they think writing it would be useful.

Ive again moved away from the “community” because I just want to get things done and deliver answers to my clients. I realised I actually dont have to listen to the vicarious opinions and attitudes of people in the community who are not actually core developers or actually running and supporting a business for open source.

Your article is Spot on and gives me something to bookmark and blog a little about later.

Thank you

I am a very conservative user and for a long time shunned Linux in favor of Windows, but this year I switched to Ubuntu. I could care less that many Linux converts are pedantic. My decision was based on the fact that Windows’ weaknesses have bothered me for years, but finally a reasonable Linux release came out.

A system should be easy to install, update, and use for someone of moderate technical ability. I think after all these years various releases are crossing that line. It will be interesting to see how things go from here.

What I want to say is that not only the choice is that is a big strategic advantage of Linux. Even more important is the in-house competition.

Microsoft did not had this kind of competition regarding Windows for some time. Now, both Apple, the Linox world, and the Web 2.0 world launch their missiles on the weak and unprepared Microsoft. Weak and unprepared because Microsoft doesn’t know any more how to compete after several years of being in a monopolistic situation.

So, please infighting! It only will make open source stronger compared to alternatives.

Linux is being derailed now. Consider the exponential growth of brain dead devices that only function with vole software. Mother boards full of integrated devices that only function with vole software. IE: the VIA sound chip requires the vole driver to play midi.

Show me a motherboard that supports Linux 100 percent.

The quality of linux software or the number of software choices does not matter, if there is not any quality hardware that supports it.

Thanks,

Walt R.

Then I spend *all* my time navelgazing. It’s soothing!

How about we dont take your word and see how it goes instead?