On Tue, 2010-03-16 at 21:06 -0400, Danny Piccirillo wrote: > On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 13:56, Kevin Cole <kjc...@ubuntu.com> wrote: > > On 03/11/2010 04:33 PM, Danny Piccirillo wrote: > >> For me, the main challenge in explaining FOSS is that you also have to > >> explain what software is, and how it is created. > >> > >> > >> This is exactly what i'm talking about > > > > When explaining this to people I use the analogy of a car: Many people > > drive but do not care to fine-tune their own car. Often they will know > > both the professional mechanic, and the enthusiast who can make anything > > with four wheels do something marvelous. Then I ask "What if both the > > professional and the 'hobbyist' had no permission to look under the hood? > > What if they could look -- if they paid a fee -- but could not improve upon > > the original model. What if they could not explain what they learned to > > others?" > > That is a great analogy. I have been trying to find a way to explain to my parents what Ubuntu and FOSS is and they don't seem to fully grasp the idea. I will try using this analogy and hopefully they will better understand why I am so enthusiastic about Ubuntu and FOSS in general.
:-) Thanks > > I then often throw in a bit about some of the proprietary diagnostic > > software that mechanics pay for. But, I don't have a car, don't drive and > > can only carry the analogy so far. > > > > Still, for many people a light in the brain seems to flicker in response, > > and we begin to have the glimmerings of understanding. > > I think we should aim for more than the beginning glimmerings of > understanding. Isn't there a list of promises we can make? > > You will always be free to share the software > You can be sure there's no hidden malware > We will not tell you how you can and can not use the software > We will not for you to pay for perpetual upgrades > Our software evolves much faster > Our software is developed in the interests of users > We will use open formats that don't lock you into our products > > etc, etc, etc > > *Something* along these lines? except more eloquent > > > -- > .danny > > ☮♥Ⓐ - http://www.google.com/profiles/danny.piccirillo > Every (in)decision matters. > -- John Chiazzese In this concrete jungle we live. Our survival is love that we give. Now my instinct is guiding my way. It’s true what they say. The world is your chance to create. -- loco-contacts mailing list loco-contacts@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/loco-contacts
