waldo wrote:
What I'm trying to say here is that until Linux developers collectively decide make Linux for others (non Linux geeks) to use, they are participating in a fruitless circle of self gratification. There is a false sense of purpose in championing "FOSS" as a noble cause in itself, and the end result has been a great deal of wasted effort to no benefit of the greater good. Instead of striving to share the effort with the outside world, they are content to parade their efforts only before insiders. That is selfish. FOSS should be a structure to create something useful to share. It is not a religion.
Why is it wasted effort? Better question, what IS the goal?
You say it is an endless circle of fruitless self-gratification, but are you not benefiting from this? How much did you pay for Linux? Are you not benefiting from the "fruitless" labor of others? You are approaching FOSS with a commercial mentality, FOSS is the end cause! The fact that a few companies have made fortunes SUPPORTING FOSS is beside the point, and even those companies have given back to the community by driving the development effort. It is a fine balance but it works. At least till now...
You say there is no benefit to the "greater good." What the heck is the greater good? You claim that instead of striving to share their efforts with the outside world they are content to parade their efforts to insiders only? confused??? Do YOU not use Linux? Are you not sharing in THEIR labor? What have you done for Linux? How have you paid back the community? Again, how much did you pay for the OS? I do not mean to be rude, but what you say is a DIRECT SLAP IN THE FACE to Clem!
And you have the nerve to call HIM selfish? If you do not feel Linux is useful then why are you even here?
The targets are easy: Apple's Mac is too expensive. Windows is over bloated because it tries to be everything to all people, and control their monopoly. There's is plenty of room for Linux. The people who choose to create Linux systems just have to build it for others, not themselves.
Why? What have YOU done for them to deserve it? You just want a free Windows. Why don't you build it yourself instead of demanding that others do it for you?
Nope, not at all! I enjoy using Linux and am happy and grateful that I came along during its golden age.
Come and join us! In fact, I will even help you as much as I can! But you will not. For whatever reason. You DO want a free Windows because you fail to see that Linux has been competing alongside Windows as a real alternative for well over a decade now! Forget about "mainstream" users. Linux has plenty of users. No one even has a clue how many. Does it even matter?
I am not!!! I suspect Linux actually has more than the 1% you cite, but who knows? Who cares? 
