[Fsf-friends] Freedom {X VS X} AND Rich User Experience

[Tarun Gaur]

Dear Rishi,

"WE" here stands for FSF evanglists who value FREEDOM as much as you do. I 
really wonder whether FREEDOM again means not trying to write good software. 
What you call FREEDOM for yourself is the hard work of countless Open Source 
guys towards a common goal - promoting Free software.

So you mean to say that if the software come for FREE I should not expect it 
to be good. What a foundation "WE" (FSF evangalists) are laying down for 
others to follow.

Let me remind you I am not talking about "you", the IT guy. I am talking 
about the end user for whom computers is a tool to do his work. And trust me 
he values "RICH USER EXPERIECE" more than getting a free software. IS THIS 
WHAT YOU CALL FREEDOM?

FREEDOM for who? You or the MASSES? I repeat lets move from "PHILOSOPHICAL 
MINORITY" to "MASS MAJORITY" and for masses your so called "SHALLOW" user 
experience matters.

Windows market share is a testimony to this SHALLOW concept.

I remind you again ... i am not decrying linux .... of FSF. I am myself a 
strong supporter and have followed linux from its nacence.

Anyways, its been great interacting with you .. no point in dragging this 
any further, i dont think we are going anywhere with this. Lets agree to 
disagree.

Regards,
tarun

>From: Rishi <rishi@gangfam.com>
>To: "Tarun Gaur" <gaur_tarun@hotmail.com>, 
>anivar@linuxmail.org,fsf-friends@mm.gnu.org.in
>Subject: Freedom VS Rich User Experience
>Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:42:32 +0530
>
>Hi Tarun,
>
> > Now, he is a live example of an END USER PERSPECTIVE on Linux Desktops. 
>Let
> > me remind you I am not talking of Linux as a Server.
>
>I use Linux at home and office as a Desktop. Been doing that for the past 1
>year now....  Linux Servers have been at the office and home since 1996. 
>;-)
>
> > Now I have a question for you ... are "Diversity" and "Flexibility"
> > synonyms of "Complexity" and "Non-Rich User Experience"??
>
>Sure they are. But the more crucial point I'm trying to make is the Value 
>of
>Freedom which according to me, supercedes the more shallow concept of 
>having
>a 'Rich User Experience'.....
>
>This of course depends on the crux that the end-user values freedom.
>
>From where I sit and all the friends at FSF, I'm sure we value freedom 
>first
>and then "Rich User Experience"
>
> > So, when the competetion picks up it is the BUYERS market and you have 
>to
> > be very agile to pick up a market share. And we have to behave very
> > responsibly and look at the world from customer's perspective. We have a
> > big
> > resposibility here. Remember we are not a market leaders but intend to 
>be.
> > You like it or dislike it Microsoft is still there on 94% of wold's
> > desktops. You know why .. because they dont ignore the suggestions of 
>guys
> > like Ram Reddy.
>
>
>That's the other issue....  who is 'we' ?
>
>FSF Friends: Are a group of people that value freedom and wish to 
>participate
>and help people spread the concept of free software. We're not working on
>becoming market leaders.
>
>Red Hat / Mandrake / Suse: Are comercial organizations that value the 
>concept
>of freedom and make software products / services available to the public at 
>a
>price. They are working on becoming market leaders.
>
>This is the angle that's different... There isn't software (product) to buy 
>in
>the free software world. If at all there are services to be bought...
>
>1. With Free Software ... it's usually supported by the community who 
>provide
>support through newsgroups and e-mail .... such as the FSF Friends list.
>
>2. With non-Free Software ... it's usually supported by the hardware /
>software vendor's that's making money on selling/installing the software
>product for the end-user. In the case of Windows and MS Office, hardware
>vendors in India typically (90%) install it for 'free' (piracy) so that 
>they
>get to sell a computer...
>
>In Mr. Reddy's case did he buy Mandrake with installation support? Or did 
>he
>get the CDs from some guy?
>
>Note: Windows without installation charges cost Rs. 5-8K per PC.
>
>Mandrake or Redhat (Fedora) can be bought at much lower prices than 5K.
>
>
> > Please do not look at this as a Developer, try looking at it as a 
>business
> > man or an end user.
>
>
>Sure... If he (Mr. Reddy) want's to install Linux he can pay someone (you) 
>to
>do it. You could charge him Rs. 500-2000 to do the job..  I would if I were
>you.
>
>
> > We have have done a lot to reach here, lets not assume that we are the
> > best, lets plug each and every hole one by one ... cause thats the only 
>way
> > we can turn from a philosophical minority to MASS Majority.
>
>
>Here comes that 'we' thing again. ;-)
>
>You need to figure out who 'we' is ....
>
>
> > Please do not take this note as personal, it is for every Linux 
>Evangalist
> > who thinks we are the best. If you still think so, please read the mail
> > sent by Mr. Ram Reddy (and you can be sure that he is a responsible guy
> > giving genuine opinion) once again.
>
>
>His feedback, I'm sure is great... but it needs to be directed towards the
>commercial organization providing the Linux Distro "Mandrake" and not the 
>FSF
>group of friends.
>
>
> > Lets continue to improve, to end the note .. I am going to Mr. Ram 
>Reddy's
> > place this weekend and be sure we will win one more guy for FSF !!
>
>
>We're here to improve our friend ship and talk about freedom. We're, at 
>least
>I am, even here to help you out with the installation if you get stuck... 
>or
>probably point you in some direction to get help.
>
>Good luck to you and Mr. Reddy. Do let us know how the installation of
>Mandrake goes.
>
>Regards
>
>Rishi
>

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