Did a search and couldn't find any of discussion of linux on here, so figured I'd start some. I don't yet use it (sorting it out at the moment, and tried about five years ago when it was too complicated for me), but I do use a fair bit of open-source software and would be interested in what potential other people see in this kind of software and the methods of organisation used to produce it. I think it's worth pointing out that most file-sharing software is shareware/freeware not open-source - i.e. it's often supported by spyware, adware, very restricted licenses etc. for starters. I view filesharing as fundamentally different to open-source - in short, bottom-feeding, and although I'm not against it, I don't think it has much potential to change anything in the long run, open-source could be far more potentially damaging to Microsoft etc. since it doesn't encourage dependency on them.
The Iraqi Linux User Group:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3830545.stm
>>... are firm believers in open source software. Unlike expensive proprietary software, open-source software can be freely distributed and modified, as long as the modifications are shared with other users.
They are particularly fans of Linux operating system.<<
>>To Nabil Suleiman, a member of the Iraqi Linux User Group living in Canada, Linux could mean significant cost savings.
"There is a shortage in power and water supplies, and sewage systems, so the last thing Iraq needs is spending billions of dollars on very expensive and overpriced products, especially software products," he said.
>>"Currently, most software in use in Iraq is illegal copies of proprietary software," explained Don Marti editor of the US-based Linux Journal.
Software giants like Microsoft, he said, are happy to hook Iraqis on their software.
"Proprietary software companies are using these illegal copies as a free sample program, and a marketing tool, as they have in other countries."
"When the crackdown comes, and the people in Iraq start having to comply with the licenses for this software, then they're going to be in trouble."<<
too right mate. OSS and linux among them represents a great cooperative way of knowledge and innovation build up. Imagine if, for instance, the medical companies actually cared for people and worked in the same way than Open Source Software/GNU Public Licence (Copyleft) does?
When people say that medical companies need the secrecy to encourage commercial competition, i always point out the great example of OSS/GNU movement.
Good luck with getting in grips with linux mate. It's getting easier by the day.