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My first thought was a little different: this is just a rather empty and snarky expression of Sturgeon's Law, as applied to Free and Open Source software. Yes,
by MaxBarraclough 6y ago
My first thought was a little different: this is just a rather empty and snarky expression of Sturgeon's Law, as applied to Free and Open Source software.
Yes, Free and Open Source software can sometimes be difficult to build and set up. This differs from closed-source software only in that closed-source software denies you the ability to build the software yourself. There are still plenty of ways for closed-source software to be difficult to set up.
I don't think anyone is claiming that Firefox, for instance, is difficult to set up.
- StavrosK 6y agoYes, Free and Open Source software can sometimes be difficult to build and set up. And even that's better than the software not existing at all. The tweet misses the point. The choice is not between "hacky, janky free software" and "well-made, professional free software". It's between "hacky, janky free software" and "paid software". Don't like FOSS? Pay.
- number6 6y agoDid you ever experience hacky, janky paid software? No Problem - you can rent a consultant to help you along the way! Need a feature? Also no problem - here is that other consultant! Want to be a consultant for our software yourself? Here is our licensed course!
- StavrosK 6y agoThere's no money problem that can't be made worse with more money!
- MaxBarraclough 6y ago> Need a feature? Also no problem - here is that other consultant! That doesn't sound right. If you need a feature to be added to a typical proprietary software product, and you aren't a billion dollar company, you're pretty much out of luck. With Free and Open Source software, you have a good chance at being able to pay to have the feature developed, perhaps even in-house.