2 ms·

You might be right about that. But that doesn’t change the fact that good software now exists, which wouldn’t otherwise exist, and that the software is now open

You might be right about that. But that doesn’t change the fact that good software now exists, which wouldn’t otherwise exist, and that the software is now open source, which otherwise wouldn’t be open source. In my opinion, that counts for something. I’ve long hoped that gamedev would make a similar transition. And although Unreal Engine et al are open source, it’s still not the default. So in other words, if gamedev as a whole behaved as Microsoft behaves now, I would be gleefully happy. But you would also be correct in saying that they are doing it “just to sell more proprietary software and services to the open source world.” I don’t know. The reason I’m trying to take a neutral stance is because I empathize with your point of view, but also can’t shake the feeling that the hard line open source idealism of 1980’s has not achieved all the goals that it set out to achieve (to phrase it diplomatically). And so in 2021, the movement is in danger of being totally ineffective, because all of the teenagers from 1980 are old now, and the teenagers from 2021 aren’t buying into the dogma.

phkahler 5y ago
>> can’t shake the feeling that the hard line open source idealism of 1980’s has not achieved all the goals that it set out to achieve... Actually it has done quite well. Not as widespread as some would like, but I think Free Software is doing spectacularly well. I would say nobody needs Microsoft for anything these day because there are great alternative, but they are creating some decent enterprise tools that may not have free equivalents. Windows and Office though? I haven't needed those in 15 years, and that's because Free Software has achieved most of its goals.
- sneak 5y ago
  There is no replacement for Excel. Those who think there is are either ignorant of Excel's capability, or are fooling themselves.
  - sillysaurusx 5y ago
    (Just wanted to say, it was a delightful surprise to hear you make a defense of Microsoft in this particular area. Thanks for being impartial.)
sneak 5y ago
> I’ve long hoped that gamedev would make a similar transition. Reminder: Microsoft is one of the biggest game platforms, too, and have not even flirted with the idea of open source there.

phkahler 5y ago

>> can’t shake the feeling that the hard line open source idealism of 1980’s has not achieved all the goals that it set out to achieve... Actually it has done quite well. Not as widespread as some would like, but I think Free Software is doing spectacularly well. I would say nobody needs Microsoft for anything these day because there are great alternative, but they are creating some decent enterprise tools that may not have free equivalents. Windows and Office though? I haven't needed those in 15 years, and that's because Free Software has achieved most of its goals.

sneak 5y ago
There is no replacement for Excel. Those who think there is are either ignorant of Excel's capability, or are fooling themselves.
- sillysaurusx 5y ago
  (Just wanted to say, it was a delightful surprise to hear you make a defense of Microsoft in this particular area. Thanks for being impartial.)

sneak 5y ago

> I’ve long hoped that gamedev would make a similar transition. Reminder: Microsoft is one of the biggest game platforms, too, and have not even flirted with the idea of open source there.