Daily Archives: October 3, 2006

Just what do you say to the Windows Weenie

By | Published: October 3, 2006
Now okay the term "Windows Weenie" is somewhat pejorative, I'll admit, but what else do you call them? Potential Free Software Users? Proprietary Software Fans? The Unenlightened? Sheep? Whatever you call them, they're the people you meet who are actively pro-proprietary software or veremently anti-free software. I've met quite a few who have reacted in very different ways when they see/hear/learn I'm a fan of free and open source software. I've had all of the following:-
Posted in Advocacy | 1 Comment

Leveraging skills to help Free Software

By | Published: October 3, 2006
A lot of talk in the Open Source community is about contributing. Indeed in a previous blog post I mentioned a discussion I had with a guy who doesn't directly contribute back to the community. I think there's distinct reasons why people don't give back to the community directly. First it's worth outlining some of the ways in which people can contribute. Design Software Software doesn't just appear out of nowhere (unless it's written by Novell ;) ). Ideally someone has to design and spec up the software before any code is written. If you have an idea for some software, and a search on line yields no results then write up a design specification for your idea. Run it past your local Linux User group or other distribution specific communities such as forums or mailing lists. Some might pooh-pooh or praise and embellish your idea, others might tell you it's already been done. You never know, you may stumble upon a developer who is willing to take up the project and help develop it.
Posted in Advocacy, Linux, Ubuntu | 5 Comments