I like to think of myself as an open source evangelist, and I’m thrilled with the idea of being able to customize any aspect of a particular object, including software. I use Ubuntu as my primary OS, switching to Windows only when a specific software requires me to.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/richard-m-stallman-on-steve-jobs-im-not-glad-hes-dead-but-im-glad-hes-gone/15275

I read this article on ZDNet, where Richard Stallman, the founder of the the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and proponent of FOSS, said (rather bluntly) that he wasn’t glad Steve Jobs was dead, but he’s glad he’s gone. What he implied was that Steve Jobs had built an entire digital ecosystem which was inherently ‘closed’; where the users had little or no control over the working of the device (software as well as hardware). It was almost as if the device controlled the user, and users were invariably “locked in” when it came to Apple products. Classic examples being iOS devices that couldn’t be used without iTunes, some of the rather important shortcomings of iOS devices which limited their functionality, the inability to ‘assemble’ a Mac computer, and OS X working only on a Mac.

Once can see that Stallman had issues with this school of thought, as it was directly in conflict with his own. However, the fact remains, that nearly all Apple products attained cult status, and while many of the above practices might have been criticized by the industry, they didn’t significantly hinder the roaring success and fan following that all iDevices enjoyed. Not only did Jobs dumb down the concept of a computer or mobile device, he made sure that you remained just as dumb while using it. Sure, these devices worked incredibly well, but you were supposed to adhere to the boundaries that came with using the device; you weren’t allowed to ask questions. It’s like buying an incredibly expensive house, but not being allowed to choose the interiors, or buying a really expensive car but being forced to be driven around by a chauffeur.

While Apple certainly curtailed their customers’ freedom, the interesting part was that the customers didn’t seem to mind! Apple loyalists are fanatics, and will swallow anything Apple throws at them. They’re just lucky that everything Apple throws at them is brilliantly designed and engineered, gets the job done with minimal fuss, and manages to look really pretty while doing it. The fact remains though, that a large section of people out there want exactly that, without being bothered by something as frivolous as software freedom. A Mac user doesn’t care that he can’t tinker with the OS or the hardware, because honestly, he doesn’t ever feel the need to. It’s an open fact that every PC user is terribly jealous of every Mac user out there. (You’ll find tonnes of search results for ‘How do I make Windows/Ubuntu look like a Mac’, but I don’t think anyone’s ever googled the reverse!)

My point is, it’s great to have something that’s open source, but the reality is, very few non-geeks actually care! For them, a computer or mobile device is just an instrument, it’s a means to an end. Something akin to not caring about whether or not your coat is made of fur, so long as it keeps you warm. Apple will continue to restrict their customers, and will make a tonne of money while doing so. Meanwhile, open source ventures will continue to grow and improve, primarily because of their community driven model. An Apple user will rarely find the need to go open source, while the Linux user will be petrified by the thought of using such a closed system.

The Windows user will just stare at the Blue Screen of Death.

PAANINI N NAVILEKAR