Imagine a future where all software was free, created by programmers for
their own enjoyment. Whether you need a word processor, a game or
an entire operating system, everyone is available online. For Free.
This isn't as far fetched as it sounds. The
free software movement has been growing for the past fifteen years.
Much of the movement focuses on the operating system Linux, available free
on the internet. Currently programmers are working on a graphical
interface that will compete with Windows 95, and will be entirely free.
Many of the programs for the operating system will be available free
of charge online as well. Corel, maker of Wordperfect, has announced
that it will release its software for Linux, as has Id, the maker of Quake
and Doom. These programs would cost, but a vast number of others would
be free.
The free software movement goes deeper than just
Linux. It has become a culture, a movement. It is driven by
programmers who believe that code can not truly be owned. Instead
they believe that everyone has the right to modify and use a program.
The creator of Linux, Linus Torvalds, posted his code online. At
that point he was the only user of the new operating system that he had
created in his free time. Today Linux is used by over half a million
users and contains the code of thousands of programmers.
The power of the free software goes beyond just the
price. The other issue is the availability of code. The code
for these programs is free on the internet, and is modified by thousands
of programmers. The gives Linux a diversity that Windows 95 will
never have. Any programmer can become involved in the free software
movement, whether they have a college degree or not.
Free software isn't without its problems though.
The typical free software programmer isn't necessarily interested in what
the consumer is, and since there is no requirement to make money, the programmer
doesn't have to satisfy the consumer. Currently Linux is awkward
and confusing. This is improving, but it has a long way to go until
it will be used by the masses. Until that point is reached, Linux
will not be able to truly sway the typical Windows user. The potential
is present however.
The question is what place free software will have
in the future. Microsoft has identified Linux as a possible future
danger to its strong grip on the operating system market. Is it possible
that in the future Linux could topple Windows? There is no way to
know, but the idea of free software appeals to us all. Perhaps
ten years from now we will dimly recall the day we paid for software, but
for now, we can only wait and see.
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