Knowledge should flow freely...

All technology that is used to exchange and distribution of ideas and information between people, should be free for all to access. More importantly when that technology is core for learning.

Knowledge is vital to help people to make choices correctly, as such everyone is entitled to have access to the best possible information possible. This is specially important in areas like education and health, where not having the relevant knowledge at hand could have lethal consequences or leave the the individual at an unfair disadvantage.

That individuals don't have access to relevant information in most areas, doesn't just have a negative impact on the individual. It also has negative impacts on the communities as a whole, since the lack of information can prevent them to make decisions on a timely manner and leave the community exposed to unnecessary ricks.

Yes, mistakes and misunderstanding will happen. Those are facts of life, yet are no reason to prevent people to be able to have access to the best and most complete informations they need in any given situation. Most importantly, knowing empowers us to take the best course of action for ourselves as individuals, and for our families and communities.

This is why we need that all informations we need to create knowledge to be made public on open standards, that can be implemented by as many people as possible. If not, we rick loosing much knowledge just because we no longer have the ability to open it because lost the key for it. This a very real possibility if the key is held by a single vendor, and it doesn't share it.

The user should be able to use whatever software he chooses to put his information in, and to share it with whom ever he wants without being restricted to use a particular platform to do so. The use of a particular platform should be dictated by the user needs, and how he chooses to work, not by the vendor choosing to implement a closed standard.

FOSS licenses...

Contrary to what many people would like to have people believe, FOSS licenses don't hinder software development and innovation.

As the matter of fact, software under FOSS licenses can spur innovation not only in software. It can help to bring innovations faster to all areas of human knowledge by allowing to change and study the software used to better suit what is used.

Not only that, collaboration would be easier. It would allow people to improve or change the software to suit their needs, and to be free to distribute the modified software to other people. This would benefit everybody, since both the people who released the software and users can have access to the modified code to make use of it.

People on the same field could have to the latest software either at a fraction of today's cost, or for free. This means that relevant information, and software, could be more evenly distributed allowing all interested parties can work on a level field. Developments made this way would be a lot more easier to make, and the final user would have access to them faster.

With more people being able to work with the latest set of information make innovation easier to come by. Mainly because the odds of someone coming to a new way to use, or to work with, something are more likely with more people working on the subject. And, if those people can collaborate with each other in a more practical and efficient way, those innovations would come at a lower cost and more people could have access to them.

We need licenses that facilitate collaboration, not licenses that hinder it. Those licenses should allow people to change and redistribute those changes in a easy and practical way, while protecting the right of the authors.

All interested parties should be able to do any changes as they see suit, and to be able to contribute those changes back to the community. Emphasis should be to make it easier on facilitating the work of thinkers and innovators to work and give back.

Knowledge should be open to all who wants it.

Freedom to customize...

I don't like software or hardware that is made to use it as it comes, and with no real possibilities to make customize it to make it work as you need it to work.

On the hardware side, I want to be able to actually install on it the OS and the programs of my preference. In my case, I want to be able to load Ubuntu knowing that the manufacturer won't put any lock that prevents me to do so.

For me, it's important because I like to use my hardware with software that I enjoy using and working on. After all, having a good hardware/software interaction is a very important part to be able to get anything done on a computer, and if anything is off it really irks me to no end. I like my computer to work just so.

To be honest, I don't really do much customization on my software. Mainly I just change the icons, and some of the fonts and it's sizes. And in some programs, I change the background and/or the color combinations. Yet, I do want to have a granular control on most of what's going on with the software I use.

This is why I came to using GNU/Linux to begin with, because it gives me the ability to have a lot of control over the software I use on my hands. After trying Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian and Pear OS, I settled with Ubuntu because it combines what I'm looking on an OS and has all the software the I like. This includes Firefox and Rhythmbox, two of my favorites pieces of software ever.

I find it hard to use any hardware, or software, that makes if difficult to set it up to be used as I want it to work. They should work around me, not the other way around. After all, they should make my life easier. Great hardware and software are the ones who work without you noticing how they get things done, yet when you check how they do it you are able to see how they do the work.

When I look for a computer now, it has to have a design that I like the looks of and I can actually get work on it. And, it has to be able to run Ubuntu or Linux Mint without a glitch.

Why I choose Android...

One of the main reasons I'm looking for an Android smartphone, is that I can more easily find the right software/hardware for me.

I get to choose the handset I want, according to my needs and what I my taste is. I don't have to settle for whatever smartphone is being offered at the time, or the technical specifications. I can look for the smartphone that's the best match for me.

At the end of the day, the smartphone is an extension of my person. So, I want it to be an statement of what I believe in and what I like. In many ways, it's more than just a tool.

Not only that, an Android smartphone is the for me the main option out here since is the only one that's open-source. For me, it's important on ethical ground than my devices run open-sourced software. Even better if the software comes with FOSS licenses.

For me, that Android was merged with the 3.3 Linux kernel was great news. This is very beneficial to all, and specially to the users, since it will allow developers to code for Android with more ease. And for smartphone manufactures, it means that they get a better piece of software for their products.

At the end, it's better for the users having several options to choose from.

Diversity is good for everyone...

I like the diversity that you can find Linux, and FOSS, which let's you find the distro that adapts to your needs. And what's best, it's all build on a modern core that allows access to current standards.

What allows this diversity, is the licensing that allows users to modify the program in any way that they see fit for their use and then redistribute it to others. Which is beneficial for everyone, since this means that the user doesn't have to wait for the original programmers to release the changes or is subject to have to deal with don't having the features they want the decision is made not to include the changes the users would like to see.

Being capable of doing this, has the positive effect that in frees the groups that make software from having to spread their resources to thinly trying to target to many different user needs. If needed, users help can be used to contribute modifications and do some of the work to maintain some of the features.

And user it means that he/she can find a software that targets his/her needs specifically, or being able to make a program that meets it. Not only that, the user has the opportunity to redistribute the changes made. And if the changes made find an audience, more users can help maintaining the new version.

Yes, many projects come and go with time. That is life, yet giving the software maker and users to collaborate brings better products to the table. If your product resonates with the users, good. If it doesn't, learn from it and bring something new to the table.

This type of collaboration is good for everyone involved. The merits of the project become more prominent, and the user voice has a better chance to be heard. Your program will benefit from being polished by users that actually need and use it, while giving you the chance to concentrate on the issues that you think need to be tackled.

Developing software becomes a collaborative effort, which has the potential to produce great things for users and developers. By allowing the users and outside groups to modify the code, and to contribute it back if they want, the true potential of the project is more likely to be achieved.

Don't be afraid of diversity, it's a good thing.

Unity...

So, the release date of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS is coming near. I'm really looking forward to updating my system, since most of the reviews I've read so far on the betas are quite good.

It seems that, as usual with a LTS version, is going to be a pretty polished release. Mainly, the updates to Unity are the ones that I'm most interested in. Since Unity came up with Ubuntu 11.04, it has come to be my favorite desktop environment because it's looks and the way it works.

I've found that Unity adjust better to what expect from a desktop environment, and how I work. And since, for my tastes, it looks really nice I enjoy using it.

After I get to use Ubuntu 12.04 LTS for a while, the only doubt I have is if I'll stick to updating just when a LTS version of Ubuntu comes out or I keep updating every time.

Both have frequencies have their advantages. With the LTS versions one gets the chance to have a more polished OS, and in some cases the applications are a lot more stable. On the other hand, updating with every new version you get the latest versions of the Linux kernel and some other more advanced features.

So far, Ubuntu has come to be my favorite distro by far. I don't really have any plans to jumping to another distro any time soon.

Sharing control and responsability...

I don't think that control should solely on the creators of the product, or on the hands of users. It should be shared, with both the creators and the users having a say on what happens on the product.

One could say that the level of control on the hands of the creators and users, should be variable depending on the stage of that the product is in. At the start, it's fine that the creators to have most of the control over their products and ideas; but when it hits the hands of the users, they should have most of the product.

As with many things in life, the answers are not on the extremes and we should have a certain level of flexibility when looking for answer. Yet, is really irksome that most people are really set in keeping things in a certain way.

Collaboration from the users should be encouraged by the creators of any product. By letting the users to contribute to their project, the final product will be a lot better than it could be if they only comes from their own efforts. Not only that, since users who actively contribute in some way to the projects that produce the things they use on daily basis are far more loyal to them and keep using them for longer periods of time. And when a new version of the product comes out, those users are more likely to help on the development and buy it afterwards.

Let's not forget that users and creators are human, and as such they all like to be taken into account. If creators really tapped into the creativity of their users, the end result would be orders of magnitude better that anyone could imagine. Basically the only rule there is, is to really listen to your users and use their ideas when they apply.

It's a shame that many companies don't use the collaborative energies of their users in order to create better products, and a loyal user base. Yes, there are negative aspects to have a more active users base collaborating in the development of the products. Yet, the positive side vastly outweigh them and gives far better results for everyone involved with the project.

People want to be part of a community. Instead of building companies, lets build communities that bring great products that its members can use.

Develop on the open...

I've trouble trusting any development that is done undercover and with no level of transparency to the public. It's a sure way to hide any troubles that may come with the new product, or hide features that are objectionable by any standard.

Most often than not, doing development like this is an easy way to hide something from the users. And if someone says something, he's usually hushed or sued in order to keep the information from any interested party or getting it fixed. Mainly because they are more interested in meeting the needs, or wants, of a small circle of people rather than the needs and wants of the actual users. Or even those who would be affected in other way by the product itself.

This makes it relevant to our interests to back those companies, or groups, that develop their products openly.

Any interested party should be able to check any part of the development process, and ask for changes. Even better would be for ways for changes to be proposed by anyone interested in bringing one forward.

Open collaboration in development processes should be the norm, since this way the interest of most of the people interested would be meet the first time around. Collaborating should be easy, and inactivated in order to bring people to bring proposals to the table.

It's important to take into account no one has all the answers, and other people can bring valuable skill sets, knowledge, and experience to the table. By closing the door to them, we are in fact wasting those valuable resources. And by extension, not giving our product the possibility to reach its full potential.

Not all proposals should be used, but they should be at least heard.

We all benefit from such collaboration. There is far more to win, than there is to lose.

Linux, as friendly as you want it to be...

One of the things I notice when I talk to friends and family about Linux, is that most of the time they believe that it's hard to use and that what you can do in it is somewhat limited.

Most of them seem intimidated by the idea of running an OS that's not Windows. Some have seen Ubuntu running on my laptop, and they seem confused that it isn't at all what they thought it would be. I mean, they see me running Firefox and Skype as it would on Windows and most often than not they seem a lot more interested in trying a Linux distro.

As a matter of fact, if they would ask me to set them a Linux machine for them I would set them with one running either Ubuntu or Linux Mint. I find that these two distros are far less intimidating for new Linux users, and offer all the functionalities that most people need for their computing.

Not only that, they are easy to use and the user interface is quite friendly, making them the ideal starting point for the average user coming to Linux.

And it helps that I know my way around both distros, since I've used both on daily basis. Yet, personally I'd recommend Ubuntu since it's my personal favorite. But there is one of the great thing about Linux, and the FOSS community at large, there is something that will adapt to your needs a lot better if you look for it. Not only that, the community behind it will be there to help if you run into trouble with a quick search.

I do recommend to move from Windows to a Linux distro, it'll be one of the best moves you can make computer wise.

Equilibrium...

When it comes to the hardware and software I use, I like it to have good looks and functionality. If one is missing, it's a deal breaker for me.

Since I'm going to be looking at it on daily basis, I don't want it to be an eye sore. And it has to be functional to be able to do some work on it, without having any component getting in the way.

A good design should combine both, good looks and functionality, in one package. To be honest, I'd always would pick functionality over looks but I want both if I can have them. Functionality makes is easy to do the tasks I've to do, and good looks makes me happy to be doing what I'm doing.

Yet, it seems that most of the time we have to select one over the other. Which is a shame, since both concepts can go hand in hand without diminishing the final product.

Sadly on the open source software community there is a tendency to fall on the utilitarian side, giving the aesthetics side little thought at best. It can be problem with many users, since not giving enough good looks can persuade many to overlook a piece of great software just because it didn't look good.

Making software look good, can bring users to it because they find it far easier to use and they like working on it. But just making it look pretty is also bad, since without functionality it would still be a piece of useless software.

Form should follow function, but there's always a way to making it look good. Striking the right balance is what separates good software, from great software that people actually want to use.

Arriving to the right balance, is more art that science. But, it can be achieved and getting there should be part of the goal.

Why I believe in open source...

I use open source software mainly because of ethical reasons reasons. There are some technical ones too, but in some aspects the ethical side came first.

Collaboration is between individuals is important to bring forth innovation, and humans are by nature social. A such, we have a need come together to share and exchange ideas. Anything that artificially puts barriers to collaboration should be avoided, instead we should be motivated to work together for common goals.

We also should be free to express our ideas and opinions openly, since this brings people together. By being exposed to the way other people think, we gain the knowledge and wisdom that otherwise we wouldn't have come about on our own.

Also by being able to see how things work, we get a better understanding of why and how things happen. By having this knowledge, we empower people to be less dependent on others and give them the chance to bring something of value back to the table.

By spreading knowledge we ensure our future, and give people tools that helps them to understand the world we live in. And also to bring people together, since we can learn from each other.

Knowledge is a common good, and everyone should have access to it. With it, we all can help to build a better world. The free flow of knowledge is one way we can ensure our survival, and move humanity forward. It gives power to all that posses it, and sharing it only makes it more valuable.

Sharing knowledge helps to perfect it, and to come with new ways to do things. By perfecting knowledge we perfect ourselves.

Bringing people together...

Smartphones, computers and tablets with Internet access are one of the most powerful tools to bring people together, and give the masses the ability to work together for common goals.

These devices give the average people access to information, tools and communities that otherwise the individual wouldn't be able to have. All these things together empower people, and makes it practical to actually organize on the grassroots level in order to achieve things that otherwise would be a lot harder to do.

Not only that, it humanizes people and as such helps us to empathize with them. All of the sudden, what happens in other places doesn't happen just to unknown people. Those people have faces and names, and we feel more readily compelled to give them a helping hand.

We are more aware of whats going on around us, for better or for worse. Since we know, action can be taken and other people can be made aware of the facts.

It truly helps to make our communities stronger, by bringing the people on the community closer together and letting the individuals to get to know each other. It breaches distances and time, people can interact in anyway they can think. We are only limited by our imagination, if we can think of it there is a way.

This is why it's so important to keep the Internet free and open. And our devices should be enable us to collaborate with others in a meaningful way.

Curiosity...

I've been always curious just about everything, I like to find new things and share them. This led me to Anime/Manga, Science Fiction, Linux, books, meeting new people and finding great places.

The thrill of the discovery, and the road toward it, fills me with a sense of satisfaction and wonder than few other things do. I enjoy the process of learning new things, as well I do sharing those new things with others.

There have been several flops along the way, but even then the lessons learned are valuable. And many times, those flops have taken me to new places and to meet new people. My eyes are opened to new realities, view points and ways to do things. I can honestly that my curiosity has helped to become a better person all things considered.

One thing that I've learned is that if you want to discover new things and meet new people, go to places that are conductive to human interaction. Those places where people feel at ease, and invite them to engage each other. Also, where you are invited to pick up things and explore what they can do.

Keep your eyes open to the little things, and a keen sense of wonder. Always ask yourself how things work, or why they happen. Try to see things to the eyes of other people, it really helps to see the bigger picture and to understand the motives that drove them to where they are.

Is important to remember that almost everything lies on a shade of gray, and almost nothing is absolutely right or wrong, good or bad. Most of those labels are mostly circumstantial to the context of the moment, and to the observer. It's fine to change your mind about anything later, all things change in time.

Most importantly, you don't have to like all that comes your way or to try everything new. But you have to be open to new experiences, and not to pass judgment until you try things out. Give all a fair chance to prove themselves, or itself.

New experiences gives you room to grow and mature. So, give a fair chance to what happens to come your way.

Sharing and participation...

One of the things we all enjoy doing, is to share. People do that, and tend to go to places where sharing is easy.

We are all social by nature. Sharing what we find, or do, with others is something we like to do. We enjoy discovering new things, and we do we want to share with other people. Not only that, many times we discover new things when other people share what they have with us.

This is why we tend to gather in places where other people go.

I can think of several examples of things I enjoy doing that I discovered because someone shared it with me directly, or at a forum. And also have presented others with my discoveries, and they have liked it.

Yet there are groups that instead of using the need to share we have to their advantage, they try to keep people from doing so. And their efforts are mostly in vain, since people always find a way to share what they like with others.

Instead of trying to stop people from sharing, a mechanism that let's people to share while giving something back in return needs to be found. When people feels like the have a share on whatever is going on, they naturally feel the need to do something to keep it going.

Most importantly, the idea that all must boil down to making people to contribute money needs to change. Why not let people contribute time and effort instead?

There are many ways that people can contribute back, and all are equally valuable. Not everybody will participate equally, or contribute with the same enthusiasm, but the all efforts made by every person who chooses to give back pile up.

So instead of trying to stop people from sharing, lets make them feel part of what they are sharing. This way, they will most likely contribute something back and make things better.

The power of choice...

Another of the things I like about FOSS, is that there is a lot of variety to choose from. This helps to configure you computer the way you want it to work, and also the way your desktop looks.

One can really customize the computer as one pleases, making using your computer a really pleasant experience. Almost every Linux distro supports several users interfaces, making it easy to choose a distro that looks and feels like you want it to.

Not only that, one doesn't really have to an expert on command lines. You can find several distros where you don't actually need to go to that level, or find the distro that suits your level of expertise on the matter. At the end, it's up to each user to decide how deep into it he or she wants to go.

The software installed in most distros is the bares bones, which is a good thing since they include the software most people uses on daily basis. If you need a piece of software that doesn't come installed, most modern distros make it easy to install what you need.

And if you need extra information on how to do it, the odds are that you just need to do a quick search to find a way to do so.

But most importantly, with FOSS the user really has the freedom to choose what makes it into his/her computer. On the hard drive there is only what the user wants, and uses more frequently.

Not only that, there are several offerings of tools that do what the users wants to get done. With the extra that most of them can be adapted to the user needs with more ease than their proprietary counterparts. Just doing a quick search you can come by several of the most popular options.

And most of the time, you can find a version to use on your Windows or Mac OS X machine if you don't feel comfortable making the jump to a Linux distro.

There are several ways you can experience the freedom that comes with FOSS, and the satisfaction that comes of being part to a truly lively community.

The strength of diversity...

The diversity that comes with the FOSS movement is another thing that I like about. I believe that diversity actually gives both, strength and a great thing to have.

Diversity is good because it brings different points of view and experiences to the table. Thus enabling to make things happen a lot faster, since the odds of someone of someone having faced the same or similar circumstances are greater. Giving the community the ability resolve things a lot faster.

Also, it's good because there are a lot of people with different backgrounds the search of the right person, or group, to help in your project is a lot easier. The community can give different perspectives on how a problem can be solve, or what elements should be included on your project.

As a user, it's beneficial because there are several projects that approach the same task in different ways. And because of this, you can be sure that the odds that there is a project that better for your needs is out there.

It's true that with diversity comes some perils, and managing it can be tricky to say the least. But, in the long run diversity is an asset.

Diversity prevents to become trapped doing the same things, because no one in the community sees a way out. Not only there is someone that can point out the fact, but can also help pointing the way out.

FOSS as a community should embrace diversity, and work together to make it as much a strength as possible.

Design isn't everything...

I find it mostly annoying and sad how many fans of many products tend to focus mainly on how good the design looks. And when someone points out that any part of it isn't necessary or it doesn't work that well all the fan boys are quick to refute by name calling.

It seems that many users are so blinded by the bells and whistles of the products they buy, that they those focus on the usability or if they actually need the product they buy.

While I like that the products I use look good, I prefer them to be practical and utilitarian. The main reason I use something is because it gets the work done, not because it looks good. One can save a lot of time and money by getting things that get the task they are designed for effectively, rather than by them just for the looks of the product.

There are out there several examples of product that are both practical and good looking, but most of the time one has to choose one or the other. Let's face it, getting there is more an art than a since. Thus, is really hard to do design such products. Also explains why usually those products go with a premium.

It's time to actually look beyond looks. And either buy things that are useful, or be willing to pay the premium for the product that have both attributes.

The best tool is the one that does its task most efficiently, and if has good looks is only a plus.

Freedoms on the Internet...

The Internet has is one of the technologies that has the most potential to bring, and keep, people together.

It's a platform on which everyone can participate, share and truly reach a larger number of other people in order to organize in order to reach common objectives.

As such, it's important that the Internet runs on open standards and software. It should be easy to see how the underpinnings run, so that no group can have a way to impede free speech. Or any other freedoms at that.

Individuals have the right to freely associate as they see fit, in order to advance their interest. Walled gardens are to avoided as a matter of principal, since they take control out of the hands of the people and put it on the hands of the owner of the gardener.

Freedom of speech and association are corner stones to keep our freedom. We should be the ones settings the limits to them, not outside forces. Why anyone should have a word on what I say, or with whom I associate with? When power becomes centralized, it has a hard time keeping up with the advancement of the individual and the society.

That's why communities at the ground level should have a lot more say on how they manage themselves. We are the one who know better than anybody else the problems that we face them, and should have the freedom to look for the solutions needed and enact them.

The time has come to take power to do on our hands, and really make the change we are looking for directly at our communities. And the Internet can be one tool to empower the people.

Take control...

Is really sad how it seems that there is a trend followed by many companies to take control away from the user. Each time a new version is announced, the company who makes takes away features that would allow the user to control less and less of what to decide what the software can do.

Which is bad, because that means that the user is left at the mercy of whatever the company want to do.

The user should be able to have complete control of what it's running on his computer, and how is it running. After all, who know better what the user needs that the user himself.

As users, we should do more that mindlessly consume whatever it's given to use. We should be aware of what is going on around us, so we can do more than react when things aren't going our way. If we give them that, the users give up being able to effectively fight back.

Walled gardens are not beneficial for user, since walled gardens only serves the interests of those who own the garden. And they limit the options of the user to whatever the owner of the garden sees fit to offer.

Each user should be the one who decides what to see, and what to use. Most importantly, the user has the exclusive right to choose what channels to use to get the software he needs. Also, the users should be able to deal with the provider without any interference.

The end user is the one who should decide what goes on his or her machines, not the companies.

Break bounderies...

One of the things that irks me the most on any piece of software, being the OS to any other program that I run on my computer, is when it takes from me control the ability to set it up to work as I want it to do and how it share the data I feed into it.

I want to have as much control as possible of whatever is going on my computer, and being able to set my privacy level as I see fit on every piece of software running.

There is no need for the developers telling me how I should use and set the software once it is on my computer, or to be protected from myself. If I need any protective tools, those are the tools that help me understand and protect my computer and data from outside threats.

And the most important tool of all, is information on the possible threats I'm facing. Clear and concise information that helps me understand how certain things might harm me is far more useful at the time of making decisions about what software I download, or what sites should I avoid.

I dislike the idea of being forced into a walled garden just because the developers don't want me changing their code, appearance of the program, to make it work the way I want it to work. Or what worse, to tell me what can I can consume on their platform.

We should be given as much control as possible on our computers and smartphones as possible. We shouldn't be locked out to make any changes to them. Yes, some changes might take your product on paths you didn't think about or wanted it to go. But, once it's out there all has the tendency to take a life of its own.

Why limit anything to the boundaries one person or group set?

By opening the possibilities of what your software can do, the sky becomes the ceiling of what it can be achieved. One doesn't achieve greatness by limiting ourselves to a narrow road.

The Cloud...

For all the hype about the cloud, I've a hard time embracing it for all my computing needs.

I find that for be, I want some of my files on the cloud while other I want them to be on my hard drive. I do believe that for most people needs, they are going to use a mix of cloud and local.

For most intends and purposes, most people needs are meet by a mix of cloud and local storage or processing. The cloud is mostly used for sharing files, music and photos, or for collaborative projects where multiple people need access to a file to work with.

If you don't need to do any of those things, you could use your computer and local drives to meet all of your needs. At the end, there is no need to have everything on the cloud or stored locally. You just need to find the right mix for you.

Most importantly, is important to use services that use open standards at least. This insures that if anything happens to the service, your files can be read by any other service. It would be even better if the service you use is open source, since gives an extra layer of security and flexibility.

The way I say...

I see no reason why any public or private entity should have any say on how I use my computer, smartphone, or any consumer electronic devise. Much less on what software should I install and use on my device that I own.

Whats more, I should have the legal right to check how the software I use on my devices work and make sure that it doesn't do any other function that goes against what I intend to use it. Also, I should be able to know if it gathers any of my information and if it share it. If it does gather information, I should be informed before hand and asked to give the permissions to do so.

More importantly, there should be an easy way to modify the parameters and to opt out if I choose to do so afterward.

Also, I should be able to modify the software on my devices to work as I see fit. This option should be on by default, and its deactivation should only happen if I choose to deactivate it.

It's important for me that the software I use give me sole power over it once I install it on my devices. I should be able to set its behaviors, and to be able to control the processes that go on. I don't like the idea of a third party to mess with what's going on my computer or smartphone. No one should be able to have access to any part of it unless I willingly give permissions to do so, which should be easy to revoke in the future if I want to.

And those permissions should be used as agreed to at the beginning, and if there are any changes those should be put forth clearly.

At the end, what goes on my devices and how they behave it's my problem.

Innovation a through collaboration...

Collaboration among the community as a whole is one of the virtues of the FOSS movement that makes it strong, vibrant and place where innovations are fairly common.

This is because people question the current models, and are continuously asking themselves how things could work better. By doing so, new ways to do things are dreamed up. While many fail, the few that work bring really great things to the table that benefit the community as a whole.

Not only this, everyone is aware that there isn't a single correct way to do things. All depends on what is the end result we are looking for, and with what are we going to work with. As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

The real question, is what tools work better for you. What works in a given set of circumstances, might not work with another set.

FOSS gives you the ability to find the set of tools that adapt better to your needs, giving the user the chance to focus on what needs to be done and not on the tool being used. If the tool gets in the way, then it's useless.

Proprietary software got in my way more often than not. Since I made the switch to FOSS, I've found changing the tool because I found something better or because I just liked the way it looked. FOSS has given me a level of freedom and flexibility that I never enjoyed before.

Not only that, it made more aware of the community behind the projects I use. And gave a motive to try to reach out and do my part. In other words, collaboration is no longer an option. Is something I must do to help to make things better not only on a personal level, but for the community at large.

Because when an innovation comes out from the project I use or help with, it makes things better for all of us.

Open standard...

Open standards are valuable not only because they allow people to share, but because they allow people to collaborate in a more effective and practical way.

In order to collaborate, open standards are an invaluable tool to be able to do so. Open standards allow people to concentrate on their work more readily, since their files can be distributed among their partners without having to worry about what platform everybody else is running.

And being the nature of open standards allow them to be implemented by any person, or group, on their platform with minimal trouble. This is especially good for the end user, since then he or she can pick the medium on which the file will run in accordance to their particular needs; opposed having to worry about if their files are going to be able to be used at all.

In the current state of things, where there is a way where people can come together to work together in ways that makes it a lot easier the importance of open standards can't be understated. Standards that are owned and managed by a single entity, or a small group, should be discouraged. Development of open standards that can be implemented as widely as possible should become the norm.

Open standards not only present the best way to build our future, but to preserve our past in a way in which we can all access and learn from it.

If we want to grow, and become closer as a society, open standards are our best bet. They give us a way on which we all can have a stake on the way we build our world.

Computer security...

Other of the advantages that FOSS(Free and Open Source Software), is that by its nature it tends to be more secure than proprietary software.

The reason for this, is that since all interested people can access and check the underpins of FOSS it's harder for malicious individuals, or groups, to put malicious code into the software. Also, vulnerabilities in the code can be found and fixed faster, because there are several people checking the code.

Also, the communities that works on FOSS projects are major factor on keeping the software they produce secure. By keeping each other accountable for the code they bring to the project, and keep it as secure as possible, is a big factor in keeping the software secure.

Since any contributor can fix the vulnerability he or she founds, or bring it to light so it can be fixed, the vulnerabilities on FOSS don't last as long as they do on proprietary software. The best part is that the process is a lot more transparent in FOSS projects, and individuals can actually have an easier time participating their time and expertise to fixing the source code of their favorite pieces of software.

In fact that you feel that you are welcomed to check how your software works, and then contribute to it to make it work better and more secure is a big plus. All this contributes to make the users have a deeper sense of ownership and pride that they are using a product from a community that take them into account and hears their voice.

Proprietary software tends to do things its own way, and pass it down to the users. It makes you do things they way they believe it has to be done, and you have to trust them completely that their software is as safe it can be.

This is a big factor that drives me to use FOSS, and not wanting to go back to use proprietary software as little as possible.

It's important to use software from projects that encourage working in a collaborative community. Our best work come from strong and integrated communities of people working together for the common good.

Information ownership...

As we use more information systems, computers and smartphones to interact with the rest of the world, shouldn't we have a say on how that informations is handled, stored and use by the companies we share our information with?

Every so often we hear about how a company gives uses, or shares, the information that was given to it by it's users in ways that weren't intended. In many occasions, it happens because there isn't a clear explanations on how the user information will be used. In other cases it happens because there is no easy way to opt out of uses that he doesn't want for his information.

At times is harder to cancel services, than it is to subscribe to them.

We, the users, should have a greater say on how our information is used and shared with third parties. There should be user friendly ways to make decisions on how we set our privacy levels on the places we put to our information, and if we want to it to be shared.

Our informations should be as private or public as we want it to be. Even, we should be able to choose which information we want to share, and with who we want it shared it with.

We should press to regain control over the information we share. It's our right to know how companies that request and have our personal information use it. Not only that, we should be able to have the list of the third parties they shared our information upon request.