Open Source Software

Two weeks ago I heard about Open Source Software (OSS) for the very first time.  And it blew my mind.  I still don’t fully understand the business model, but I appreciate the fact that OSS exists.  I like the idea that there are people out there that are willing to devote their time to something useful to the common man.  But I’m still perplexed that I haven’t heard of more companies  that either use open source software.  While a study performed in 2008 reported that open source software is currently used as a replacement to $60 billion of traditional software that’s still only a small fraction of the sales generated from traditional software (http://standishgroup.com/newsroom/open_source.php).  I suppose that makes sense if you think about it though.  People get used to certain items and they get comfortable with them if that’s what they’ve been introduced to.  I’m sure there are lots of people who have a real interest in computing technology and stay current with all the trends, but I think that most people just use what’s familiar for them unless they are taught to use something new.  Plus, I would be surprised if there aren’t measures taken by software companies to perpetuate fear about OSS so that people continue to pay for their products.  Popular acceptance of OSS would be extremely bad for their profit margins.

My question is how could OSS best be introduced to the common person and make it mainstream?  These days many people have computers.  Worldwide, there are currently more than 1 billion personal computers in use.  (http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=703807)  I think it’s a fair assumption that most people run software at home that they use at work.  And many people over age 40 learned software after school because computers were not ad readily available to them.  So the easiest way to introduce open source software to those people is for companies to decide to start using it at work.  Training for and implementation could be done for open source software just like any new technology introduction into the workplace. 

However, it will be difficult to introduce OSS to companies and convince them to change their operations.  It’s natural for people to become accustomed to what they are used to using and resist chance.  Also, it’s natural to be skeptical about OSS once you learn what it is. It seems to good to be true.   So to really integrate OSS into our society, we would now need to introduce it in grade schools and high schools. What better place to teach people about OSS that to start it where people are forced to go to learn anyway?  where they first encounter computers and learn how to use them.  It will take some time, but it will save money for almost everyone.  The incentive is there for schools.  They already have computer classes; why not teach them using free software?  And it seems intuitive that it would lower taxes because schools would save more money.  Eventually it would save even more money for individuals because the children would begin to teach their parents about OSS and they would replace their traditional software with OSS in their homes.  All of this while continually forcing software companies to stay ahead of the curve to stay in business.  The only people I see it hurting are executives at software companies, and from most of what I’ve seen, they wouldn’t be hurting so bad if they made a few less million per year. 

 So that’s my idea.  Of course, someone will need to introduce OSS to schools with so many people unfamiliar with the concept….  Seems like a pretty good business opportunity.   Unethical to make a profit off of teaching people about a free product you say?  Fine, make it a non-profit organization.  They still pay salaries.  And it seems like there would be plenty of OSS developers (who are already philanthropic) and college graduates who probably need work considering current unemployment figures.  And with such a savings potential, what institution that truly dedicated itself to teaching would pass on the opportunity?

UMSL’s Switch to Windows Live

Recently UMSL made a switch in e-mail services from MyGateway to Windows Live.  The main reason for this change seems to be the same as the principle added benefit to the students – additional space (50 MB vs. the original 10 GB provided by My Gateway).  Windows Live also provides the following services; Windows Live SkyDrive, Windows Live Groups, Windows Live Messenger Windows Live Toolbar, Windows Live Photo, Microsoft Office Live Workspace, and Windows Live Spaces.  There may even be added benefits for UMSL to have students and faculty use Windows Live over MyGateway such as having more room on their own server and less problems by having less run through MyGateway.  Either way, there seems to be many advantages to making the switch, but not much has been said about the disadvantages of switching to Windows Live as a student.  While the negatives may seem few and insignificant, I felt they should still be addressed.

In my opinion over the past two months of using Windows Live in place of MyGateway, I have noticed the following issues:

1.  You still need MyGateway

Windows Live doesn’t replace MyGateway.  Students and faculty still need My Gateway to find information about their classes (syllabi, schedules, announcements, assignments, grades, and more).  So Windows Live is just another website that students have to routinely check for information.  In that way it’s an inconvenience because it was nice when MyGateway could be used for everything.

2.  Passwords for MyGateway need to be changed

Passwords for MyGateway need to be updated, I believe, every semester.  Windows Live passwords do not.  So it’s more difficult to keeping passwords straight just by the virtue of adding another one to keep track of.  Otherwise you need to change your Windows Live password every time you change your MyGateway password (probably not much trouble, but more than there was before).

3.  Change require adjustment

Getting used to a new e-mail format takes a little time.  And while it’s natural to be resistant to change, the funny thing is it might only be perception.  Example: When I switched jobs in 2006, I had to go from using Microsoft Office to Lotus.  I didn’t like Lotus for a while because I felt it offered less and didn’t like how it worked compared to Office.  So I complained for a while how Office was way better.  But eventually I got used to Lotus and forgot what I even liked about Office.  But last year when my company finally switched to Office I didn’t like it at first.  It wasn’t the way I remembered, and I didn’t see any advantages; only a new system to get used to, even though I was looking forward to going back to Office.  It wasn’t until recently when I forgot what Lotus was like that I got used to Office again.  So this point would maybe be moot in another month or so if we weren’t constantly reminding ourselves what MyGateway was like (see #1).

4.  Multiple Windows Live accounts

I’ve had a Hotmail account since 1998.  It was my first e-mail account.  I rarely use it anymore aside from using it as an alternate anytime I need to give out an e-mail address for something that isn’t that important.  But I do check it once every week or so to make sure there’s nothing important in my inbox.  I can’t remember when Microsoft acquired Hotmail, but since I had to switch to Windows for UMSL I have trouble going back and forth from one account to the other.  There’s a good chance that I just don’t know the best way to do it, but nevertheless; it exists now as a minor inconvenience (although not so big to force me to research how to avoid it).

To sum up, although it may not seem like it, I’m fine with the change.  That is to say, I’m not going to protest the University to go back to offering MyGateway for e-mail.  To be honest, I was never crazy about MyGateway either.  It seemed very basic and didn’t seem to be extremely user friendly.  But at the same time, I’m not saying that I didn’t get used to it.  I’m also not saying that I won’t get used to Windows Live. 

I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining about the switch, I’m just saying that thus far I’ve seen more inconveniences that advantages.  And I don’t fault the University either.  It seems like they made a concerted effort to provide more space and services for the students.  It seems obvious that any student would more than welcome the switch.  I actually I have little doubt that if I had any significant use for any of the new services provided by Windows Live, I would feel differently.  But so far it’s just been a minor pain.  Perhaps it’s just me.  I’ve never really liked change.  And reviews like these generally make it seem like Windows Live is really pretty good; http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winlive_hotmail.asp , http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/windows-live.aspx,   http://mailcall.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!CC9301187A51FE33!37302.entry?sa=752874371, but for now, from my perspective, it’s all relative.