What's your take about Open Source applications being made available for Microsoft Windows?
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Showing messages 1 through 3 of 3.

• DISAGREE: A Compromise Soultion
  2004-12-15 22:40:33  sw_bobcat [Reply | View]
  
  
  Microsoft users would LOVE to have access to all the FREE software that Linux users have available to them. I say make WINDOWS users pay through their noses -- Hey they can afford to pay through there noses for bug riddled Windows, it is only fitting they pay through their noses for Microsoft's bug riddled apps as well. I did say something about a "compromise solution". I say make a CRIPPLED version of the FOSS available to Window's users, or put a expiration time that the software can be used for after that Windows users would hqave to PAY for the software. There is NOTHING in the GNU that says developers can not charge for their products. In fact maybe a system that charges Window users while remaining FREE to LINUX and *BSD users should be considered. In fact charging Windows users about 1/2 -3/4 the price for the comparable Microsoft product might lend credability to the product -- "Hey if their charging that much $$$ for the product it must be good".
  
  So the question becomes how to get Windows users to migrate to Linux and *BSD. The answer/s are simple: In the crippled version you announce that the full fledged version is available ONLY in Linux *BSD. In short we need to send a message: if you want OUR apps then you need to consider migrating to LINUX and/or setting up a duel boot Windows box. In case of charging money.... well the developers will at least make money from Microsoft users. OTOH if Microsoft users want the "Free" version they are again forced to either migrate totally to LINUX and/or *BSD, or to at least set up their Windows boxes and duel boot systems.
  
  In short FOSS apps need to come with a "cost": the "cost" that I'm taking about is in terms of EXPOSURE, not $$$ per se. As long as Windows users can get FOSS apps and remain on Windows there will be no incentive to switch to Linux. M$ has played the apps game very well and it is because of their apps they have locked their users into Windows, now the FOSS community can repay the favor: You want to use OUR apps then you need to user OUR OS's.... or pay us $$$ just as you would for the equivalent M$ product.
  
  There might be one tiny upside to making FOSS apps available to Windows users. Most Windows users are brain dead idiots with a point-and-click mentality. We should not be forced to dumb down Linux and *BSD to accomodate lazy and brain dead Windows users. For them I say let them stay on Windows. Linux and *BSD should require that those who wish to migrate to Linux and *BSD have a willingness to rise to our level of basic knowledge, we should not stoop to theirs. That said both Linux and *BSD both could stand to sometimes be a little more user friendly. In short if you are even half way competent then FOSS including Linux and *BSD should not be a problem in migrating to, OTOH if all you know is point-and-click, they you should stay on Windows.

• Agreed
  2004-12-15 11:11:58  thomassinclair [Reply | View]
  
  
  
  As a teacher and Linux fan, I see two important advantages of OSS apps on Windows:
  
  1. They give Windows users a taste of a world outside of Microsoft and make it easier for them to migrate to Linux.
  
  2. I can use many of the same tools in both my Linux-based and Windows-based courses.
  
  
• Agreed (in a way)
  2005-03-21 10:05:32  AlanParker [Reply | View]
  
  
  OSS is strictly positive for any platform, it is well known. And I would be very glad to see more of it available for Windows, but I'm afraid I won't. Not only because other systems are more "comfortable" for such projects,

  
  Enoch Tobias
  Geoffrey Cecily
  George Cesar
  Francis William
  Garnett Zachary
  Garret Bridget
  Gartheride Cadwallader
  Gawen Cassandra
  Gervase Christian
  Etheldreda Ursula
  Evan Valentine
  Everard Venetia
  Faith Vincent
  Faustinus Walter
  Francisca Winifred
  Fulk Wombell
  Gabriel Wymond
  Georgette Charity
  Gerrard Charles
  Felix Warham
  Gentile Catherine
  Ferdinand Watkin
  Florence Wilfred
  Erasmus Tristram
  

  but because users of those platforms are much more grateful audience. So I guess that OSS will develop further were it is better accepted.