3 ms·

Here's a simple rule you can apply - if it's closed source, then it's not worth your time. Like, don't build on top of freaking closed source platforms and aft

Here's a simple rule you can apply - if it's closed source, then it's not worth your time. Like, don't build on top of freaking closed source platforms and after 17 years of OSI, 24 years of GPLv2 and myriads of open-source alternatives available, you'd think people would learn.

troels 12y ago
Except of course if there is no oss alternative and you can't conceivably build it on your own. But yeah - Pretty much agree. The fact that most oss products are best-of-class makes the choice even easier.
- TheLoneWolfling 12y ago
  If there isn't: a) look at building your own. What's inconceivable to one person may not be to another. b) Build support for at least two closed-source alternatives, and make sure you always have at least two current alternatives.
raverbashing 12y ago
"if it's closed source, then it's not worth your time." Of course. Because Gimp does all the thing Photoshop does Blender does all that Maya does I'm sure as well. SCADA systems for industrial control? Just download the first one that shows up on Google. EDA systems? Sure, there's a GPL alternative. People use Mentor (as an example) because they don't know better.
- Joeri 12y ago
  Startups don't make another photoshop, they make another gimp and hope to grow it into another photoshop over time, or hope to get bought out by a company that makes another photoshop and wants their talent and technology.
- bad_user 12y ago
  > Gimp does all the thing Photoshop does For most people, yes. Unfortunately Photoshop is pirated, so it isn't being used at face value. > Blender does all that Maya does I'm sure as well If you want to build your own stuff, which isn't uncommon at all and if you have a movie budget of 100 million dollars, you might be better off forking Blender. Also, Autodesk's Maya is not a startup and it isn't being used necessarily as a platform, so that's building a straw-man on your part ;-) > SCADA systems for industrial control? You mean Eclipse SCADA? Funny thing is that I'm working on a software system using it right now. My mission is to steer and monitor power plants and nothing on the market was suitable for my needs. Building on top of an open source stack helped tremendously.
- outworlder 12y ago
  > Of course. Because Gimp does all the thing Photoshop does It actually does, for the majority of the population. Which doesn't matter. Any Photoshop alternative must be a clone of Photoshop.
  - Karunamon 12y ago
    Not for pro users, which I thought is what the topic of discussion was. Lack of color matching is the first feature that comes to mind, and that's an absolute deal breaker for any print design people.

troels 12y ago

Except of course if there is no oss alternative and you can't conceivably build it on your own. But yeah - Pretty much agree. The fact that most oss products are best-of-class makes the choice even easier.

TheLoneWolfling 12y ago
If there isn't: a) look at building your own. What's inconceivable to one person may not be to another. b) Build support for at least two closed-source alternatives, and make sure you always have at least two current alternatives.

raverbashing 12y ago

"if it's closed source, then it's not worth your time." Of course. Because Gimp does all the thing Photoshop does Blender does all that Maya does I'm sure as well. SCADA systems for industrial control? Just download the first one that shows up on Google. EDA systems? Sure, there's a GPL alternative. People use Mentor (as an example) because they don't know better.

Joeri 12y ago
Startups don't make another photoshop, they make another gimp and hope to grow it into another photoshop over time, or hope to get bought out by a company that makes another photoshop and wants their talent and technology.
bad_user 12y ago
> Gimp does all the thing Photoshop does For most people, yes. Unfortunately Photoshop is pirated, so it isn't being used at face value. > Blender does all that Maya does I'm sure as well If you want to build your own stuff, which isn't uncommon at all and if you have a movie budget of 100 million dollars, you might be better off forking Blender. Also, Autodesk's Maya is not a startup and it isn't being used necessarily as a platform, so that's building a straw-man on your part ;-) > SCADA systems for industrial control? You mean Eclipse SCADA? Funny thing is that I'm working on a software system using it right now. My mission is to steer and monitor power plants and nothing on the market was suitable for my needs. Building on top of an open source stack helped tremendously.
outworlder 12y ago
> Of course. Because Gimp does all the thing Photoshop does It actually does, for the majority of the population. Which doesn't matter. Any Photoshop alternative must be a clone of Photoshop.
- Karunamon 12y ago
  Not for pro users, which I thought is what the topic of discussion was. Lack of color matching is the first feature that comes to mind, and that's an absolute deal breaker for any print design people.