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Perception matters...

One of the biggest hurdles that the FLOSS movement has to overcome, is not a technical or a design one. All comes down to perception, how the people see and relate to FLOSS software and what it stands for.

Many people seem to believe that since most FLOSS software is freely available, is must be because it's inferior in some way or another compared to proprietary software. In most cases, FLOSS software it's on par with what you might find on the proprietary side. What's more, FLOSS software has the advantage of being a lot more flexible.

This flexibility, allows the FLOSS software to adapt better to the end user needs. Since one can study and modify the source code, it allows for a much better fit to the needs of the users.

Many distros, and programs, have made great strides on usability and design. While doing so, they keep their technical robustness. This combination is a great thing to have as a user, since it gives her/him a system that not only works great and with great stability. It also looks great making it a lot easier and more fun to use on the daily basis.

It has been some now since the time that you had to be a hardcore geek or computer scientist to use any piece of FLOSS software. While there are still distros to that crowd, there are many distros aimed for the less technical user. The kind of user, that like me, what's his software easy to use and that just works.

As a matter of fact, is a great thing to have. There is space for every kind of user at the FLOSS movement. For me, keeping outside anybody that isn't a geek or technical proficient to a high level is a great mistake.

FLOSS should be about people getting together and just share their interest and getting to know new people. All the while fighting for the freedom to control the hardware and software we use, and collaborating with others to make it better.

This freedoms are not the realm of a few, but the right of all.

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