A Thought on FOSS...

After using GNOME 3 for three days, I just couldn't take it any more and came back to using Unity as my user interface on Ubuntu 11.10.

Even though I do like GNOME 3 in general terms, I do feel that Unity is better suited to the way I interact with the user interface. I don't only like Unity looks, but also the way it works.

When I started using Unity with the release of Ubuntu 11.04, I did come across several bugs. But, at the end there weren't that important and for the most part those bugs have been ironed out. So, I expect that with the release of Ubuntu 12.04 Unity will be fully mature.

But, this rises something that I really like about Linux in particular, and the FOSS movement in general. What I like is that there is always a choice. If there is something doesn't work for you, or you just don't like it, you can always choose another distro or app that suits you.

Of course one can has the right what one likes or not, yet I don't see the point of calling names for the sake of defending the particular distro, or any other thing you use, if someone points out where that particular person believes things aren't being done the way he things they should be done.

Neither is doing the opposite, just because people don't do what you think is right or most be done.

There must be a healthy discussion of the merits of the actions being taken, yet actions are to be taken in order to move forward. And not everyone has to agree with what is to be done.

Is a matter of balance, and to have the will to move forward to the direction that seems more appropriate according to the goals that have been set for the project.

At the end, that people can exchange and implement new ideas on how things should work it's what makes the FOSS movement a place where innovation is big part of the game.

Beware of Absolutes...

One should always avoid dealing in absolutes. Most things in life are not black or white, but rather a shade of gray.

But often than not, is better to judge things relative to the context on which those things occur. What is appropriate on one situation in one place, might not apply to the same situation in another place.

There are many factor that makes anything that is done acceptable or not. There is only a really few things that are almost universally accepted. Yet, the vast majority of our actions fall in a gray area. Most often or not, there will be someone that finds what you do objectionable and other that agrees with the way you view it.

Instead of lashing out when someone tells you that what you so is not the thing to do, instead of attacking back try to understand where they come from. In many cases, the person who disagrees with your position doesn't have the whole context, or information, on why you act the way you do.

Once they understand why you do, or act, a certain way most people understand and leave you be. The same applies when you see doing something that you might not agree or approve of.

It is important to see the other point of view before passing any judgment. Is also important to bare in mind that no one has to agree with you, and you don't have to agree with what other people believe in.

What we are obliged to do if we want others to respect and tolerate our positions and beliefs, is to do the same to them. 

One of the most important things to live in peace, is to respect what other believe in. And to understand that no one thing is absolute, all is relative to the context we are in at each passing moment.

The things that are most important today, may stop being so tomorrow. What is important for me, might not be so for the person next to me.

So, listen to what others have to say before judging.

Open Source...

Open source is something that I really hold close to my ethics system. The core values of sharing knowledge, ways to do things and builds things, in a free and open way is a way to innovate faster and in an easier way.

If all can see how something is done, it makes it easier to people actually knowing how to actually do something from the blueprints themselves.

This has the added benefit that people can modify according to the needs of the people who are going to use it. Or, people can make modifications that actually make it better and being open they can share those modifications back to the community so that the benefits as a whole.

But, since there are more people actually seeing and using the blueprints there is a greater chance that if there are any defects, those can be addressed a lot earlier than they would if it was Closed sourced.

Open source gives all the people who actively participate on each project a sense of ownership. This is a good things, since it gives every contributor the responsibility to make sure his, or her, contribution works the way it's suppose to do. And also makes it important to call on those who contribute bad components to the project.

The responsibility of policing the projects is up to both the individuals doing their best, and contributing those elements back when they make modifications to them. And the community at large by keeping others up to what they said they promised they were going to be up to.

It's important to understand that even though you are entitled to freely used and modify the blueprints for your needs, all the work to actually make build, or make it work, is entirely up to the individual who wants to make use of it. But, one is not obliged to contribute back if you don't modify anything.

But, one can contribute back to the community in various ways. One is contributing money to the project in order to help to keep it going. A important note to keep in mind, is that there is no minimum on how much money you can contribute to the project. You can give as much money as you can, as many times as you can.

Other way to help your project, is to spread the word. Tell all people that could use the project about it. Show them how you have used the project, and what can they can gain by using it.

Don't forget, by helping out the project you are making sure that it remains available to you.

I can't say how many more benefits you could get by using open source projects. So, look for one that meets your needs.

And more importantly, don't keep them to yourself and spread the word.

My Problem With Apple...

Let's keep something clear, I do agree that Apple produces great hardware and software.

Most of the products that Apple releases are great in design, and technology. Their products are innovative, and bring new things to the table. Or at least they are a flesh implementation of a technology that's already out there.

My problem with Apple is their philosophy. I don't mind that their software is proprietary, though I rather see in being open. And, I don't agree how they managed the hacking of the iPhone. Once I buy a product, I expect to be able to do whatever I want with it, and I don't appreciate a company telling me what I should do with my phone.

And I just had to roll my eyes, when many of the features that came from hacking the iOS where later integrated into it. I didn't expect Apple to thank, or acknowledge, those came first from the coders that hacked it. But, why fight so hard to avoid having people to hack your product, just to end up adding the features they did in the first place.

One of the things that irk me most about Jobs, was the way he reacted to Android. He claimed that Google stole his ideas to make Android what it is, and he was planing to go nuclear to get Android out of the market because of it.

But, let's go back a few years. Didn't Jobs quoted Picasso saying that good artist copy, and great one stole? Basically stating that if the had to steal great ideas from others he would if it meant that Apple could produce great products?

May be he said that Apple could steal from others, but other can't do the same from Apple.

Even though I don't condone stealing ideas from anyone, credit should be given where credit is due, I'm an advocate that ideas should be shared and used by anyone that needs to. The more people see the idea, and use it where and implemented in the best way possible, should be the norm.

By making it so, the field would be more fertile for innovation. The more people working on a project, the better the odd that someone would come out with a novel way of doing same thing. Or making it in a better way.

There should be some limits on how, and how much, any person can use from any idea. But, by having a easy and workable way for people to collaborate makes it easier, and faster, to come out with new ideas and ways to solve problems. By promoting openness, the discussion on how to move forward would be far more productive.

Imagine if each car manufacturer needed to come up with the engine or tires every time they introduced a new model.

The basic core of things should be there to be used by everyone that wants to work with it. What ever isn't at the core of the issue, can be put apart as modules for the use for the people who actually use it. But, even those should be available to those who might be interested in the capabilities that those modules bring.

Is up to the creators of those modules, if they give it back free or they charge for it.

I do believe that an open ecosystem is healthier, and is better in fostering and bringing innovation faster than the closed ecosystems are.

Net Neutrality and SOPA...

I've been reading about the SOPA act, which aim is to protect the copyright holders from piracy.

I agree on the principle that everyone has the right to receive payment for any work that they do, after all it takes time and effort to do so. But, I've a problem with how the SOPA act intends to protect the copyright holders from piracy.

The idea that just by accusing someone of piracy brings about the kind of actions SOPA proposes are, for me, disturbing.

I believe that the Internet should be an open and even field for the exchange of information and ideas. I do agree on the proponents of Net Neutrality, there shouldn't anyone that can stop the exchange.

Having access to information, and being able to exchange your ideas with other people is a fundamental right.

And is specially important to bring forth innovation. Sharing ideas, and comparing notes freely, can lead to new ideas. The more people contribute and share ideas, the easier it is to solve problems. The Internet is a tool that makes such exchange easier, and mainly allows people to connect with other than in other ways wouldn't be possible.

In many ways, I agree that the copyright laws that exist now inhibit innovation by making it easy for established companies attack smaller, or new, companies that threaten their leader position. Instead of making their own innovations, they sue in order to preserve the status quo.

If you put the copyright laws and SOPA together, I find it that rather that it would make more damage than good. If you want to really to stamp out piracy, make the Internet a really neutral place, where ideas and information can be easily shared.

Instead, focus on fixing the copyright law so it actually motivates competition by innovation. Not by suing or threating the smaller players.

Behaviors matter...

It can be really depressing how many people actually expect that someone else to come to solve their problems, and it that doesn't happen they just moan on how bad things are for them.

If more people came to realize that the key to solve most of the problems, if not all, is in their own hands the world would be a different place.

Most of the changes needed to solve the problems each person have is within. Of course some problems are harder to solve that other, but there is no problem that can't be solved in one way or another. The only thing that it's needed to fix whatever we want, is the will to find the way to do so.

The key to arrive to a solution, resides in being able to pay attention on what is what behaviors are the ones that take us to the outcome that we want to change. All is in what actions are the ones that make things happen the way they do, not the outcomes.

By fixing on the outcomes, we don't see the complete picture of what is going on to make those outcomes happen. The most important question us why things happen as they do, if we don't attack those root causes the solution to our problems will elude us.

So, if you want to have lasting solutions to your problems attack the root causes. If you don't do so, you are setting yourself for failure.

#Occupy movement...

I've been following the several #Occupy movements that have sprung up on several cities around the world. It has make me wondered if such a movement could occur in any of the mayor cities of Mexico, to call for peace and to prompt politicians to take actions in the matters that most interest Mexican society.

Yet, I've some doubts that there will be any such movements at any city in Mexico.

Most of the people here are not that politically active. There is a view that any one that is politically active is not to be trusted. And, after 70 years in which most people came to expect that no mater what they did or said nothing come happened because our voices just wouldn't be heard. Things have slowly beginning to change, but most of the time when we rally we don't stay at it for long.

More are more people are becoming aware that they can do something to change how the system works, but we haven't gotten a critical mass as of yet. We need more people pressuring for change, and doing from several different points. Most importantly, there is a need for more people speaking up on what needs to be changed. The people at power wont do much if they don't see the need, if they don't feel the pressure to make the changes we want and need to move forward as a nation.

Also we need to understand that quicker these changes come, the quicker we are going to see the effects. If stall on them, or do nothing at all, those changes wont give the results we want and need.

Having a just and fair country is a shared responsibility between society and government. Neither can do it by itself. In a sense big changes come from small actions, but we all need to act together in order our small actions to sum up to be able to make the big change.

If you want change, do something. And if those actions don't bring the change you wanted, do things in a different way.

There is always a way out, we just need to figure out how to get there.

Hacking...

As much as hacking is being depicted as something bad, and that should be avoided at all times, I can't find a reason why people shouldn't be able to hack their own software and hardware.

Granted, rules should be put in place to punish those who hack into places, or things, they are not wanted.

But, if anyone wants to hack their own computer, mobile phone or software to work in a way they deem they need; they should be able to do it legally. And, if they want to share it with other people they also should be able to do so if they choose to do so.

Face it, hacking is not bad in itself.

It also brings benefits to the larger community of users. Hacking fosters innovation, and makes good motivator for companies to do things better.

Most of the hackers are curious people, who just want to know how something works or who wants to make whatever product they use do something they believe it should be able to do. In some cases, they modify the behaviour, or look, in order to make it work in a way they believe it would be more useful.

Instead of trying to ban or discourage hacking, we should be directing the effort of the various hackers into positive avenues of work. Give hacker incentives to work legally, and enable them to share their work not only with other hackers, but with the public at large.

If you treat hacking as a problem, and something to be eradicated, it will be a problem.

So, treat it as the tool that foster innovation. Then, and only then, hacking can bring the full benefits it can give us.

My Ubuntu 11.10 experience so far...

I've been using Ubuntu 11.10 since yesterday that it became available for download, and I'm very pleased with it.

The user interface is a lot cleaner, and easier to use. I really like the look of it, in my opinion is a big step forward for Ubuntu and it has cemented it as my favorite Linux distro. I've been using Ubuntu on regular basis since the 10.04 LTS version, though I used for a while the 8.04 LTS before, I've found it to be easy to use and very stable.

And since the 10.04 LTS version, I've like the look and feel of the user interface a lot better than the one in Windows and I like it as much as the Mac OS X one. But, with the current Unity shell, I like it even more. I find the design to be clean, and easier to use than the previous ones. You could say that Unity has won me over, and I plan to stick with it.

I can't recommend Ubuntu enough if you want to make the jump to Linux, specially if you are new to the world of open source software.

There are still a few rough edges, but as with the two previous versions I've used these will be fixed rather quickly. Besides, these aren't that big and are on par with any new release of an OS and knowing me I most likely found them because I like to go deep when I personalize my OS to my taste.

So, if you are an average user you are unlikely to find them.

At the end, if you want to make the jump to Linux Ubuntu 11.10 is a great distro to start from.

Do what's right for you...

It's sad to see how many people don't question themselves why they believe what they do, or if those believes are a valid platform to stand on.

Many just accept what is told to them, without really analyzing what's is told to them. Some won't see the contradictions on the information given to them, because they don't bother to actually pay attention. It seems that they don't want to take the responsibility and face the consequences of their own actions.

Some seem to have the need to be told what to believe, and how to act.

It's important to understand that what's good for some doesn't make it so for others. The idea that something will work for us, just because it works for someone we know is not true. Yes, we should consider several paths before one is chosen. But, at the end each of us needs to choose what is best for us as an individual.

More often than not, it's hard to be completely certain if what was chosen will work out the way it was intended to do. If it does, that's great. If it doesn't, don't blame others.

Learn from what happened, and move on. The blaming game is not really useful, since most of the time it doesn't help anyone to move on with life.

As humans, we are fallible. We make mistakes, but we can overcome them to make things right.

At the end, do what's right for you to the best of your abilities. Remember that you are the one you must answer to at the end of each day. You're the one who must feel comfortable on your own skin, and live your life the way you believe is the best way to do so.

Give yourself more credit.

End of an era...

When I read the news that Steve Jobs had died yesterday afternoon, at first I couldn't bring myself around it.

I mean, even if I disagree with how things are done in Apple, the man was a visionary. He did make great products, easy to use and with exquisite design. Products that just work, and perform in many cases better than advertised.

Is easy to see why people want Apple products, and why Apple has such a large and loyal group of base users.

Personally, I don't use Apple's products because of philosophical reasons. I do like the design of both of the software and hardware, they are pleasing to the eye and easy to use. Mac OS X is stable as OS's come, and it's really user friendly.

But, at the end Steve Job is someone that I admire, and respect. He was a visionary, that showed us that technology can be sexy and easy to use. His innovations managed to keep putting the bar higher and higher.

I remember being pleased when he putted Apple's might behind open web standards.

In my opinion, to pay tribute to Steve Jobs, the best way to do it is keep improving and making better things. Keep innovating. Never to stand still, and always bring forth new ideas.

I do believe that's what he would want.