[ubuntu-us-ma] The Free Software, Open Source promise: what FOSS means for non-coders

[Kevin Cole]

On 03/16/2010 09:06 PM, Danny Piccirillo wrote:
> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 13:56, Kevin Cole <kjcole at 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?"
>>
>> 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?

All well and good, but I was addressing the question "What do you do when
people don't know what 'software' is?"

I think the promises make sense if you're talking to a more savvy audience.

-- 
 Kevin Cole                    |  Key ID: 0xE6F332C7   (GPG/PGP)
 Ubuntu Linux DC LoCo Team     |     WWW: http://dc.ubuntu-us.org/
 Washington, D.C.  (USA)       |   Phone: +1.202.234.0213

 "Using vi is not a sin. It's a penance." -- St. IGNUcious, Church of Emacs

           ". ! 1 |" -- Rene Magritte's computer

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 314 bytes
Desc: OpenPGP digital signature
Url : https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/loco-contacts/attachments/20100317/c1037210/attachment-0001.pgp