Open source clues
A hypothetical for developers of open source software projects that I have adapted from a comment by a flickr user.
"Consider a typical busy software user called Adam. Perhaps he is familiar with the Macintosh computer, smart, but has no technical background. Adam downloads the open source application, installs then starts to use it. Adam notes that important parts such as importing and exporting were not completed. In addition, the application works and looks very different to applications on his other computer. Adam has trouble finding out how to do things as the documentation is incomplete, there is no clear support page or help forum. Adam gives up and vows never to use this application again in business."
Putting out a 'nearly finished' product is a good start although failing to maintain the momentum, support and upgrades is not. Groups need to watch out that they do not treat any new users from the Linux desktop with a narrow minded "stay tuned until we get back to you." attitude. Busy customers have a long memory and short patience.
In this way, Ubuntu got it right. The kid-friendly, polished suite of Ubuntu desktops does more than just serve the self interested tinkering needs of some geeks (unlike this funny flash animation that pokes fun at Linux powered super dudes). It looks good, feels good, is good.
I have just finished reading World Domination 201 (thanks
kattekrab), a fascinating article that tries to grapple with our computing future. Mention is made of some new actors on the stage including network games and on demand video. There are some good pointers about the way that the open source and Linux community could push ahead. Off the top of my head, it is vital more effort is put into support for 3D and multimedia on a Linux desktop .. but I can also see the dirty, political battle it has become with copyright, codec and DRM lines hastily drawn in the mud to confuse and confound us. The very last sentence about public choice theory is very important.
We face two very different futures at the start of 2007.
How open minded are you? Whose interests will you serve?
"Consider a typical busy software user called Adam. Perhaps he is familiar with the Macintosh computer, smart, but has no technical background. Adam downloads the open source application, installs then starts to use it. Adam notes that important parts such as importing and exporting were not completed. In addition, the application works and looks very different to applications on his other computer. Adam has trouble finding out how to do things as the documentation is incomplete, there is no clear support page or help forum. Adam gives up and vows never to use this application again in business."
Putting out a 'nearly finished' product is a good start although failing to maintain the momentum, support and upgrades is not. Groups need to watch out that they do not treat any new users from the Linux desktop with a narrow minded "stay tuned until we get back to you." attitude. Busy customers have a long memory and short patience.
In this way, Ubuntu got it right. The kid-friendly, polished suite of Ubuntu desktops does more than just serve the self interested tinkering needs of some geeks (unlike this funny flash animation that pokes fun at Linux powered super dudes). It looks good, feels good, is good.
I have just finished reading World Domination 201 (thanks
kattekrab), a fascinating article that tries to grapple with our computing future. Mention is made of some new actors on the stage including network games and on demand video. There are some good pointers about the way that the open source and Linux community could push ahead. Off the top of my head, it is vital more effort is put into support for 3D and multimedia on a Linux desktop .. but I can also see the dirty, political battle it has become with copyright, codec and DRM lines hastily drawn in the mud to confuse and confound us. The very last sentence about public choice theory is very important.
We face two very different futures at the start of 2007.
How open minded are you? Whose interests will you serve?