[CoLoCo] in defense of open source

[Jim Hutchinson]

> Jim, I think you make some good arguments for Linux, but I wouldn't agree
> 100%. Take the iPhone, first I would argue that we do need it, in the same
> way we need other technology. What once we lived with out, we now require.
> As for the similar products that are open, they lack appeal, I've yet to see
> any phone as cool as the iPhone. Same thing with photoshop and gimp, both
> work, but one is far more appealing (and powerful). Windows, Apple and Linux
> may all just be polished turds, but Apple often does a great job of making
> theirs shiniest.
>

Sorry, Dave, I don't agree. We don't NEED the iPhone (any phone will
do for what we really need - i.e. making phone calls). The world is
not a better place because suddenly there is the iPhone. In fact,
given the toxic nature of some of the components, I'd say the world is
worse off. Sure, we all love technology and it's advances but love !=
need. Furthermore, the iPhone is not even that much of an advance -
just a shiny version of technology that already exists. There is very
little in the iPhone that was not out before the iPhone (god, how many
times can I say iPhone before I puke).

But, yes, apple is good at making technology sexy. I'd love a new iMac
(and then put Ubuntu on it).

Jim