Open Souce of Course
Why Open Source Works in Spite of its Flaws:
Two weeks ago, I talk about the potential negatives of Open Source that I had found after doing some fairly extensive research research. My findings were that on some occasions, Open Source enthusiasts talk too highly about the products that they use and ignore how the Open Source companies started. The big and or obvious example of this is the granddaddy investment into open source products that a number of the big open source projects had (Firefox/Linux for example)
My blog was more of an expressivist opinion on the subject of my findings. I really enjoy and primarily use open source software. Which is why I wanted to say the potential negatives of Open Source before I talked about the my opinion of the benefits of Open Source software. Open Source software has numerous benefits, but the first I would like to talk about is genuine interest in creating working software.
Especially in the Linux community, there is a high emphasis on efficiency and working software. Usually, talking about efficiency is one of those things that will immediately cause friction between Open Source users and non Open Source users - because Open Source users will tote all the specs of their favorite piece of software. Some examples of this include the file system structure in Linux vs Windows Operating systems. The idea here is very simple, and is very obvious in most Open Source software - that is, users in the Open Source community, care very deeply about the intricate workings of the software and very little about user experience and human computer interaction. They want to make software work and work well and not necessarily have a pretty user interface with sleek interaction.
Another example of why I think Open Source is good in spite of it’s flaws, is the nature of the software usually being free. My first blog post was primarily about how Open Source software is not just generated out of the kindness of developers hearts but rather multifaceted motivation on some monetary level. This is true, but the software is ultimately still free. From the knowledge of Open Source contributors deeply trying for performance and the fact that the software is generally free - the user gets a pretty decent product for free.
Lastly, Open Source software encourages innovation because it thrives on user submitted content. Originally, I used Maslows Hierarchy of Needs as evidence against open source but now I would like to use it as an example of why Open Source works. When an individual is able to reach the self actualization level, they are at the pinnacle of individual performance. Open Source software, can encourage every element of self actualization. There is community, a sense of belonging and since Open Source developers love developing high performing software, there is creativity, problem solving and a genuine acceptance of facts.
In conclusion, I really like Open Source software because there is a high sense of efficiency. I also appreciate the fact that open source software is usually free. In essence, every aspect of open source software contributes to an individual's pursuit of self actualization through: community, a sense of belonging, creativity, problem solving and a genuine acceptance of facts. Open Source software is good, because of it’s ability to do all of these things well.
Cheers,
Brandon
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