Tsikbal: from my perspective

I've been thinking about the software I would pay for, and the answer is that I'd pay for software that add value to what I do. Or, that actually enhance or facilitate what I do most often. Also, I'd pay for technical assistance that I actually need or to build features that I don't have the time or the technical know-how to make. But, I'd always prefer FOSS software over proprietary software. FOSS software gives me the advantage to change the software according to my need more easily, since I can ask anyone with the technical skills to do it. That person doesn't have to be part of the entity that made the software in the first place, giving me a lot more flexibility when I need to change anything. The restrictions that FOSS comes with are a lot less cumbersome, and actually let the user use the software in ways that are more effective in meeting his or her needs. It doesn't force the user to work in the way envisioned by the original designer. ...

One of the places where I'd love to see free and open source software to take off, is on education. Open source software has the ability to give equal access to all students to the tools and information to receive a better education. Mainly because it gives the teachers a platform on which they can give greater access to the materials and content relevant to the curses they give. Not only that, teacher would be better able to share between then ideas and materials to use in their respective classes in an easier and more effective way. And, since the cost of the software could be much lower than with closed sourced software it would be practical to have the most up to date versions of the software they use. And thus, granting their students access to the most current information and tools available for them. This is more crucial than ever, since technology is moving faster than ever. Is important to give students not only with the knowledge they will need to face life w...

In my mind, the best type of governance for open source projects is that comes for the community of active contributors and it's users. Active contributors and users should at least have a voice to express where the project should go, and what features should be included or excluded. After all, the project benefits most when most of it's core base believes on what's being done and what's to make it work in the best way possible. This approach also has to be pragmatic, since not everyone will be pleased with the choices made. And sometimes, features have to be dropped since there wouldn't be a practical way to keep them going within the project. Discussion and dialogue should be encouraged, since when it's done in a constant way it helps to bring the community together. Also, it helps to spot errors or areas where there is a need to work on faster since things that can be overlooked by someone can be picked up by other. When people are encouraged...

With all the lawsuits flying around patents on how such companies stole my idea, even though they implement it in a different way or use a different core to run them, on how people do things are suppose to be intuitive for people who use them seems to me a rather ludicrous idea. I mean, we all do things that are intuitive in the same way mainly because we are all wired to do it in pretty much the same way. That's the main reason why it's easy to use those things in that way, since we don't have to give it much thought. And when you look even further, more often than not innovating products combine technologies, or practices, in a way that is new. Sometimes, you just change existing implementations in ways that make more sense in a given context making it easier to use. May be, even practical. Let's be honest, we are all influenced by our surroundings. What we hear, see and read leaves an impression on our mind. In effect, makes up the repository from which ...

For me, the Internet is the biggest public forum there is by far. That's why is important to keep the Internet free and open to everyone to use. The Internet is a place where ideas can be shared with the widest amount of people, in the least amount of time possible. Also, it allows people who are in distant geographical point to be in contact and share information and ideas between them. For many, is a valuable because is the only way they have to access knowhow and to communicate with people that they couldn't reach in any other way. The Internet really bring the world together by allowing many people communicate and get to know things and people that they wouldn't be able to do otherwise. This exchange of ideas between those different people can do more to bring people together than any other effort, mainly because people come together in an spontaneous way. So, they build relationships build from this interactions that can become strong and help build a wide...

There is a valid concern about on-line privacy, and how our computers and cell phones might compromise it. In closed sourced software there is a real danger that back doors, or any type of code used to spy on the user, could pass undetected for long lengths of time without being noticed. All because no one outside the creators of the code can check the code, so there is no chance that other people can notice that the code is there. This makes it greatly convenient to any organization to use closed software to keep an eye on people, and even try to censor to what we can access. Open source software is the antidote to keep our privacy, and keep those who would like to take it away at bay. Any information that we share, should be the one that we choose to share and only with those we want to share it with. We can loose our privacy if we aren't vigilant, and let others control how we manage and share our information. Closed source software is a tool that ...

It seems that ACTA is going under. Which is good news, since the passing of such laws are in detriment of the people. The good thing that is coming out of this, is that people are getting together to protect the right to have a free and open Internet. But the sad part is that the industry and politicians that propose this laws are not really going to stop trying to get them through. At the end, it seems that many don't really understand that the way to go now is to truly innovate, or bring new things to the table. The time when anyone could come with a few innovative ideas from time to time are gone, and for good. And a free and open Internet could be one of the best tools to help to bring innovation. It makes is easier to share ideas and information between individuals and organizations, thus making it easier to come with new ways to do things. Because you have access to a wealth of information, is easier to come to solutions that you hadn't though about yourself....