Comments on: Open Source Tipping Point?

By: JimMc

JimMc — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:52:22 +0000

Ok, ok, the referee is stepping in here. Wes says we need to move towards web-based technologies and apps, and Miguel says we can’t become dependent on outside commercial interests (I say both from an economical AND a technical support standpoint). You’re both right (is that wishy-washy enough for you?). To me, the Internet is the mainframe of the 21st century. It makes PC operating systems irrelevant. You can run anything from anywhere. But remember, we have both the Internet and INTRANETS. That can alleviate Miguel’s valid concern about losing control. Install web apps for your network on your own web server. Is my thinking totally off-base here?

By: the open content blog » Web Applications for Education

the open content blog » Web Applications for Education — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 03:19:08 +0000

[...] Wesley Fryer brings up some good points regarding web tools and open source adoption in education in his recent ‘Open Source Tipping Point‘ post. Adoption of web and open source tools is certainly increasing in both business and education but I’m not sure when the tipping point will come—particularly in education. [...]

By: the open content blog

the open content blog — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 01:35:38 +0000

Web Applications for Education

Wesley Fryer brings up some good points regarding web tools and open source adoption in education in his recent ‘Open Source Tipping Point‘ post. Adoption of web and open source tools is certainly increasing in both business and education …

By: Wesley Fryer

Wesley Fryer — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 05:53:26 +0000

Well, I am not sure I am ready to take on a mantle of leadership that could be compared to either Moses or Ghandi, but we’ll just see where all this web 2.0 dialog and writing takes us, ok?! Maybe I am not immersed enough with the use of open source tools to “see the light” yet as you do, my friend! I think the banner of fighting commercialism can be a commendable one, but I think ultimately the commercial interests are going to remain with us for better or for worse, and what we can do most effectively is insist (through our purchasing power mainly) that they follow web-standards for maximum compatibility. I think open source tools are going to force commercial offerings to further define and differentiate themselves in the marketplace apart from what open source / free options can do without cost. Hopefully this dynamic will be positive from a creativity and innovation standpoint. The forces of old media that are behind DRM will continue to pose a substantial obstacle to progress in many arenas, however.

I’m not ready to give up my Mac at this point! The multimedia stuff I can do with videos and DVDs is too powerful and cool. If LInux can provide this in the future, I’ll certainly consider it, but I am guessing that by that point Macintosh will be further innovating along other lines. I strongly suspect we’ll see a Macintosh tablet powerbook/iBook soon. I think companies like Apple will be constantly pushing both the design and functionality envelopes, and other commercial entities as well as open source options will strive to keep up. Do most users need this sort of cutting-edge power and capability. Currently with what people do, maybe not? But the future is dynamic. I don’t see all commercial entities as equally evil.

By: Miguel Guhlin

Miguel Guhlin — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 04:41:34 +0000

I disagree. The more we move towards web-based technologies, the greater our dependence on commercial systems that will increasingly regulate how we work, where we work, and more.

By removing the power of computing, communication and collaboration from our hands–in the form of individual workstations that are increasingly connected on a free internet–we are placing the power in the hands of companies like Apple, Microsoft, Dell who are focused on trapping every dollar spent on tech.

Even as we increase communications and collaboration, we must fight against commercialization. We can bring about change. . .it takes time. But that arena for that battle is not education. The change must be made in society, in the legislature, and that effort will transform education rather than teachers fighting for change in education. It’s as if some think the impetus for liberation would come from the peons enslaved and oppressed.

Linux is a lifestyle choice, a decision to live free from commercial bounds. It is the ideal, but that state is far from ideal at this time. Nevertheless, we continue to work towards that because it presents the most significant alternative to a commercialized life where we are in a “Matrix” where reality is decided, determined by private companies. We increasingly have choice, and efforts to limit that choice (read my posts about how Digital Rights Management (also opposed by the EFF and Public Knowledge)) must be fought against…even if it means parting with our beloved Macs and Windows computers.

Each of us is called to be a Moses to liberate and the staff will be free open source–ideas and software. Wes, are you ready to be Moses? How about Gandhi? I can see you, walking the streets in white robes, a staff in your hand, the people clamoring your name…go ahead, Wes, cast aside your dependence on the colonizing influences of your mind (e.g. Apple, Windows) and weave your own tale.