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It really seems like someone ought to be doing more to try to use Android to publicize free software. I think the majority of Android users now probably have no

It really seems like someone ought to be doing more to try to use Android to publicize free software. I think the majority of Android users now probably have no understanding of the goals and ideals of free open source software, and there is an opportunity to create real public enthusiasm. From a free software perspective, Android is hardly an ideal platform, and carriers and phone manufacturers have a lot of ambivalence about welcoming openness, but I'm still excited by the fact that a lot of people are now walking around with a linux in their pocket.

generalk 16y ago
> and there is an opportunity to create real public enthusiasm [about FOSS software] Sorry, there really isn't. And if there ever was, a mobile phone isn't going to do it. Most folks don't know their phone is running Android, they just bought whatever interesting-looking smartphone was in their price range. They barely care about the software their phone is running, let alone the tenants and ideals of a bunch of software hackers regarding their craft.
- mycroftiv 16y ago
  I completely agree with you about the actual state of the world, but I don't think its a theoretical impossibility to communicate in way that will raise awareness. As an example, consider the amount of mindshare the ideals of the organic foods movement have attained in the mainstream. Producers of organic food have done a good job marketing themselves and trying to put out information they believe supports their values. The concepts of user control and freedom that motivate FOSS have an emotional appeal to many. Many people who aren't professional mechanics and engineers still enjoy taking things apart and fixing them, and can understand access to software source code in a similar way.
- bitwize 16y ago
  Virgin Mobile is running bus ads that say "You on Android for $25/month". Obviously there is some marketing appeal in being able to offer a phone that runs Android, which means people are aware of the name (even if they may be confusing it with the Motorola Droid specifically).
  - borism 16y ago
    absolutely - most people might not be aware what devices run Android, but they surely heard the name.
- jokermatt999 16y ago
  In my anecdotal experience, even my non-technical friends with Android phones know they have Android. I think you're right about them not caring about FLOSS ideals, but you may be underestimating Android's brand awareness.
ZeroGravitas 16y ago
The ability to search the Appbrain market and exclude proprietary software would be good. A "curated" FLOSS app store that let legitimate forks get ad revenue, but prevented shady cloning would be even better.

generalk 16y ago

> and there is an opportunity to create real public enthusiasm [about FOSS software] Sorry, there really isn't. And if there ever was, a mobile phone isn't going to do it. Most folks don't know their phone is running Android, they just bought whatever interesting-looking smartphone was in their price range. They barely care about the software their phone is running, let alone the tenants and ideals of a bunch of software hackers regarding their craft.

mycroftiv 16y ago
I completely agree with you about the actual state of the world, but I don't think its a theoretical impossibility to communicate in way that will raise awareness. As an example, consider the amount of mindshare the ideals of the organic foods movement have attained in the mainstream. Producers of organic food have done a good job marketing themselves and trying to put out information they believe supports their values. The concepts of user control and freedom that motivate FOSS have an emotional appeal to many. Many people who aren't professional mechanics and engineers still enjoy taking things apart and fixing them, and can understand access to software source code in a similar way.
bitwize 16y ago
Virgin Mobile is running bus ads that say "You on Android for $25/month". Obviously there is some marketing appeal in being able to offer a phone that runs Android, which means people are aware of the name (even if they may be confusing it with the Motorola Droid specifically).
- borism 16y ago
  absolutely - most people might not be aware what devices run Android, but they surely heard the name.
jokermatt999 16y ago
In my anecdotal experience, even my non-technical friends with Android phones know they have Android. I think you're right about them not caring about FLOSS ideals, but you may be underestimating Android's brand awareness.

ZeroGravitas 16y ago

The ability to search the Appbrain market and exclude proprietary software would be good. A "curated" FLOSS app store that let legitimate forks get ad revenue, but prevented shady cloning would be even better.