Yes, I am leecher.
##I don’t mean torrent thing (I always try to get at least to ratio 1.5).
I mean FLOSS world.
The whole idea is about taking and giving. The soft is OpenSource to make it possible for everyone to edit and improve it. This is clear that opening source boost the developing process.
Well, the problem is… I only take it. I download, install and use my GNU/Linux. I read manuals, use community support. But don’t give anything. This is how this ‘new wave of linuxers’ acts.
It’s not about intention. I would really like to help somehow. But I can’t! I’m not programmer. My IT knowledge is… let’s say rather ordinary. I think that many of those today linoobz have the same problem. We are all some kind of FLOSS-leechers. Taking but not giving.
When we buy software – we can use it as we like – we’ve payed its authors. When we use free software – the things get more complicated.
It was written by community for community. No matter if for purpose like “I want to make all soft in the world free/open! or “I’ve written an app and it maybe useful for u guys too!”
We can use all this stuff legally and with no limitations as far as we contribute to development. This is my understanding of the whole FLOSS thing.
But… fortunately there are other ways to contribute. We can report a bug, or submit our hardware data to linux-friendly-device database. We can write post about how we tried something and problems we encountered (so others can see what may be problematic). What’s more – even our cries on forums and mailing list “My ubuntu just stopped working! I’ve edited blablablah.conf and it went all black!” are some kind of documentation.
We just have to encourage ordinary users to do so. If you can’t help directly… help indirectly: write tutorials, try to help some people on forums. Even converting Windows-users may be helpful (maybe this guy will contribute directly in future).
This mighty software was created by hard work. And let’s pay for it with our hard work, too! We don’t have to agree to license that noone reads. But everyone installing open/free stuff should agree to the general promise:
They’ve written all this. They’ve helped me. So I have to help them!
I’m a leecher
Yes, I am leecher.
##I don’t mean torrent thing (I always try to get at least to ratio 1.5).
I mean FLOSS world.
The whole idea is about taking and giving. The soft is OpenSource to make it possible for everyone to edit and improve it. This is clear that opening source boost the developing process.
Well, the problem is… I only take it. I download, install and use my GNU/Linux. I read manuals, use community support. But don’t give anything. This is how this ‘new wave of linuxers’ acts.
It’s not about intention. I would really like to help somehow. But I can’t! I’m not programmer. My IT knowledge is… let’s say rather ordinary. I think that many of those today linoobz have the same problem. We are all some kind of FLOSS-leechers. Taking but not giving.
When we buy software – we can use it as we like – we’ve payed its authors. When we use free software – the things get more complicated.
It was written by community for community. No matter if for purpose like “I want to make all soft in the world free/open! or “I’ve written an app and it maybe useful for u guys too!”
We can use all this stuff legally and with no limitations as far as we contribute to development. This is my understanding of the whole FLOSS thing.
But… fortunately there are other ways to contribute. We can report a bug, or submit our hardware data to linux-friendly-device database. We can write post about how we tried something and problems we encountered (so others can see what may be problematic). What’s more – even our cries on forums and mailing list “My ubuntu just stopped working! I’ve edited blablablah.conf and it went all black!” are some kind of documentation.
We just have to encourage ordinary users to do so. If you can’t help directly… help indirectly: write tutorials, try to help some people on forums. Even converting Windows-users may be helpful (maybe this guy will contribute directly in future).
This mighty software was created by hard work. And let’s pay for it with our hard work, too! We don’t have to agree to license that noone reads. But everyone installing open/free stuff should agree to the general promise:
They’ve written all this. They’ve helped me. So I have to help them!
And let’s do so!
~ by papaja1992 on 1 March 2009.
Posted in IT, comments, ideas, linux
Tags: contribution, floss, gnu, leecher, license, linux