Perceptions Against F/OSS and the Advent of

Some people I know are closed-minded when it comes to using free and open source software. All of its flaws are magnified. None of the good things seem to stick in their minds. Well, maybe an application or two will be an exception. But I do encounter those who keep blaming the software for crashing or complain about the behavior of these applications. We’re all human, and it could be the lack of familiarity with these applications that make us feel very uncomfortable.

Having to learn about new software happens to us, whether it’s proprietary or free and/or open source. It’s just that I am bothered by how close-minded people could get. “If it’s not Windows, it sucks” and “I don’t trust how this software works because it’s just a free download so I get what I don’t pay for” are two things I dislike a lot. Why? Because it’s not fair to lump all free and open source software this way. It doesn’t help that manufacturers seem to give this image that only Microsoft is good. Asus with it’s campaign of “It’s better with Windows” and now with HP dropping the the Ubuntu-based Mi system from their HP Mini offering, I could only think of terrible conspiracy theories.

It feels like manufacturers are also powerless when it comes to resisting Microsoft’s software on their machines. They’re bound to support it. Acer, even if it will have Android on the newer Aspire One model, has Windows 7 too. Dagnabit, they all want to put Windows 7 on the spotlight. Maybe because it’s new and much better than Vista ever could be? Some people have weighed out the pros and cons of Windows 7 and I guess that if it works for you go get it. But see here, my issue is that why did these manufacturers take out the option for you to have your netbook run Linux? Is it just all marketing hype that’s why Windows 7 is becoming a new favorite of these manufacturers? Well, what?

Honestly, I am suspicious. Then again, if you’re one who’d be likely to think that it’s better to risk the ire of a seemingly small group of users of Linux than to risk your business then it’s your decision. But please back it up with better reasoning than “Windows® helps you quickly and easily get online and connect to your devices and services – without dealing with an unfamiliar environment or major compatibility issues.” If you’ve got someone who was using Windows XP switching over to Vista or Windows 7, things will be different. It looks somewhat familiar but not quite. Not everything’s the same as before.

So yeah, with the advent of Windows 7 I am expecting more FUD against Linux and free and open source software in general. But I know that the community is improving on the kernel as well as the distros and the other applications that come with it.