Adobe and Google Partnering for Flash Player on Linux

[jdow]

On 2012/02/23 14:58, Joe Zeff wrote:
> On 02/23/2012 02:30 PM, jdow wrote:
>>
>> Some programs will never appear on Open Source platforms, Joe.
>
> So? Rhythmbox, Anorak and Parole are all in the repos, and there are probably
> others there that work. One of the glories of Open Source is that there's almost
> always a free alternative to any program you need if the one you like stops
> working.

The Linux based alternative to Medialon (a show control program) is neither
free nor supported anymore. (The author died.) The program is a specialized
process control program with features customized for theatrical or venue
presentations and equipment using DMX protocol. People purchase it rather
than use any alternatives out there now that Loren has retired ShowMan.

That's just one example of a small niche that may never be entirely able to
go Open Source. (There is at least one person trying to enter the field with
Open Source as of a decade ago. I've not heard anything of his program for
the last 8 years or so.)

It's must safer to say "Most people can become entirely Open Source." That
sounds better than "Microsoft free" with no mention of also being "Apple
free." Technically people who use Apples can be "Microsoft free", too. But
they are still paying through the nose for .... (stuff I can't use. I seem
to be "Apple challenged". I simply can't make the famn dool things work to
do what I want to do when I want to do it.)

{^_-}