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Exactly that was my first reaction, too. Also, this makes a great analogy for software development and a very good point about Free Software (hands-on), propri

by vog 10y ago

Exactly that was my first reaction, too. Also, this makes a great analogy for software development and a very good point about Free Software (hands-on), proprietary software (you control at least the information flow into and out of that blackbox) and services (you have lost any control over where your personal and business data is routed through and sent to).

TeMPOraL 10y ago
So to extend your analogy - if you're a normal, non-technical person, you don't care about the free/propertiary/SaaS distinction. You're not interested in reading or modifying the internals, nor you're interested in learning how to do it. You have your goals and want software that will best help you accomplish it. Just like some people aren't into coding, some people aren't that into cooking. One has to eat to survive, but this doesn't automatically make cooking interesting, especially on a daily basis. Many of us (myself included) simply want to get on to the eating part and save the time for something more interesting (be it reading books, playing games, building stuff, spending time with children...).
- karmajunkie 10y ago
  I like the analogy, but I'd offer that those who like to eat without cooking are more akin to your average gamers, who get into the use of technology rather than its production. Personally, while I enjoy cooking sometimes, I generally don't like eating for its own sake—I have three or four simple meals that I could honestly stick with for 90% of my meals and I'd be happy enough. Not altogether healthy, mind you—they're mostly variations on carbs and cheese with not enough veggies nor protein—but thankfully my wife keeps me from regressing to my own devices there. :)
  - TeMPOraL 10y ago
    Haha, same here. Left to my own devices, I mostly rotate between three or four meals that all share the same characteristic: they're tasty and most of their preparation time doesn't require attention. Drop the stuff into boiling water, wait 5 minutes, take it out - this kind of style. And similarly, it's my SO who makes sure I consume a healthy variety of vegetables ;).

by vog 10y ago

TeMPOraL 10y ago

So to extend your analogy - if you're a normal, non-technical person, you don't care about the free/propertiary/SaaS distinction. You're not interested in reading or modifying the internals, nor you're interested in learning how to do it. You have your goals and want software that will best help you accomplish it. Just like some people aren't into coding, some people aren't that into cooking. One has to eat to survive, but this doesn't automatically make cooking interesting, especially on a daily basis. Many of us (myself included) simply want to get on to the eating part and save the time for something more interesting (be it reading books, playing games, building stuff, spending time with children...).

karmajunkie 10y ago
I like the analogy, but I'd offer that those who like to eat without cooking are more akin to your average gamers, who get into the use of technology rather than its production. Personally, while I enjoy cooking sometimes, I generally don't like eating for its own sake—I have three or four simple meals that I could honestly stick with for 90% of my meals and I'd be happy enough. Not altogether healthy, mind you—they're mostly variations on carbs and cheese with not enough veggies nor protein—but thankfully my wife keeps me from regressing to my own devices there. :)
- TeMPOraL 10y ago
  Haha, same here. Left to my own devices, I mostly rotate between three or four meals that all share the same characteristic: they're tasty and most of their preparation time doesn't require attention. Drop the stuff into boiling water, wait 5 minutes, take it out - this kind of style. And similarly, it's my SO who makes sure I consume a healthy variety of vegetables ;).