Fedora Core 2 - review.

[Robin Laing]

Sean Estabrooks wrote:
> On Fri, 21 May 2004 13:52:31 -0600
> Robin Laing <Robin.Laing at drdc-rddc.gc.ca> wrote:
> 
> 

Alot of the replys in this thread have already said what I would have 
in response to your points.

I do use ogg and support free software, even at work.  I am glad to 
see portable ogg players available.  The problem is moving the masses 
to free and open software.  I often point out links for open software 
to windows users to use.

As stated by others.  It doesn't help any free and open software cause 
if a user cannot go to www.somesite.com and view what is on that site. 
  Nor does is help when a Windows users sends me a file that isn't 
readable of viewable on Linux.  Yes my mother-in-law does require 
access to mp3's and flash for surfing the web.  How many sites use 
flash home pages?

I don't know if RH can be deemed responsible to providing their 
customers information on why software isn't included in their 
distribution.  In fact as it isn't provided would be a defense.  I am 
not a lawyer but I think I will post this question to my 
brother-in-law who is becoming a lawyer.

It is easy to come up with reasons not to provide software.  The issue 
that is raised in the review is how to make Linux useful for the 
mainstream users.  I do feel that the more Linux is used in the home, 
the more open standards will be implemented.  Other distributions 
provide the software that is in question which is their own problem. 
All I am saying is give Fedora users a tip on how and where to get the 
software to make their installation work in this closed standard world.

Don't kill the fight for free and open software by denying that closed 
standards have to be supported until the open standards have taken 
some market share.

Ogg is getting great reviews for quality over all other formats and 
this will win supporters.  DRM is going to be an issue that will have 
to be dealt with, but that is another headache.

-- 
Robin Laing