Is the command line the only way to free software?

[jay-R5TnC2l8y5lBDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org (jay-R5TnC2l8y5lBDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org)]

It sounds like your looking for a system similar to the lego mindstorm programing.  Basically drag and drop macros that allow the user to build and customize based on basic pieces.  I know there are languages and programs that are working on these types of systems.  However I have not found anything mainstream or ready for prime time.

Overall modern desktop distros of linux have all the ease and functionality of windows or osx. The biggest problem the average user will run into is getting hardware to work, this is where often command line work is required.  These problems are less common on windows, because the manufactures cater to windows.  but they still happen a lot.  This is where tech support becomes important.

In reality I think all the averag user really cares about is that it works and does so in an "intuiitive" naure.  Few really care about customizing and creating.  This is more a goal of the enthusiast market, and not the main stream.  This kind of thing is show in the gaming market.  Many games offer systems to make custome levels, but really few users ever dig into them.  I would wager more than 95% of the custom stuff is created by less than 5% of the user base. Just as it is in foss software.

------Original Message------
From: Lim, Seung Chan
Sender: discuss-bounces-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org
To: BLU
Subject: Re: Is the command line the only way to free software?
Sent: Mar 16, 2010 11:24 PM

> What does "free" have to do with the command line? Isn't the entire X
> Windows ?GUI "free software"?

Well, let me rephrase my question.... By "free software" I mean how
software can give us the freedom to take charge of our own lives.
Empower us to not only gain access to information, but also produce
new information, to take existing information and to synthesize them
in new ways that gives us a whole new perspective in life, to see more
choices than we previously thought we had. As in allowing us to be
creative, and to take matters into our own hands. To be able to do it
yourself.

The command line is wonderful in this regard. With enough patience we
can program just about anything we want, and make the computer do
whatever we want. It is amazing. But what about the non-programmers?
Can they get in on the action, too? My mom can go buy a few pieces of
wood, a hammer, and some nails and make new furniture for her house.
She feels empowered to make stuff for herself, but she sure as hell
doesn't feel the same about computers and the vast amounts of
information that is present at this day and age... Do we care about
this? Is this significant? Are there things people are already
thinking about?

I guess that's my question... I'm genuinely curious what the linux
community thinks about this. If it is even a subject of interest....

Here's a video I recently made thinking about this.

http://vimeo.com/8184534

Maybe you'll find it amusing. :)

slim

_______________________________________________
Discuss mailing list
Discuss-mNDKBlG2WHs at public.gmane.org
http://lists.blu.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss


Sent from my BlackBerry? smartphone with SprintSpeed