Tsikbal: from my perspective

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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. ...

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 lo...

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 th...

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 ...

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 t...

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 ca...

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 knowled...

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, ...

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....

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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? W...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 no...

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'...

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 pr...

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...