15 Responses

1. Ed Ross

   27|Jun|2006 1

   When I tried to link to the Windows XP download of the DTP software, no luck opening the page. Is this a broken link?

   Thanks

2. John

   27|Jun|2006 2

   Not sure what was wrong, but I’ve amended and tested the XP link. Should work now — it takes you to a number of download mirrors.

3. Ivo Emanuel Gonçalves

   12|Sep|2006 3

   A shame Scribus is available for Windows and other proprietary platforms. Dave, I recommend that you read this and that you please meantion it somehow in a future article.

4. Danny Brodzik

   28|Sep|2006 4

   I’m with Ivo on this–Scribus being on Windows helps people live with M$ LONGER.

5. David Cowell

   10|Oct|2006 5

   Long ago (within my memory, though not within memory of most people alive today), the non-Iron Curtain Communists were divided by “mainstream Communists” into Stalinists and Trotskyites.

   In simple terms, the Trots (as they were scatalogically termed by their opponents) believed that (1) revolution would only come if people were miserable enough to want it and (2) revolution must be both a continual and continuous process - crap would always rise to the top and need to be purged.

   Now, I deeply value the point of view shown by Mr. Gonçalves about his own work. I will personally not port his work to Windows or other proprietary systems - he doesn’t want me to and I respect his individuality.

   Regarding “smashing MacroSlop” by not porting, though, I have a very different opinion from Messrs Gonçalves and Brodzik.

   I see no need for humanity to be made more miserable in order to “free” themselves from µ$ (or OS X, etc.). (And yes, I run Linux.)

   As we know, the Trots and the Stalls were both shown to be wrong. And yet the world is better fed (and able to afford computers somewhat). The Trots were right about #2; they were dead wrong about #1.

6. Alan Moore

   15|Dec|2006 6

   To second Mr Cowell and put the argument in more concrete terms, the biggest hurdle for most users is data migration. If I want to move from Windows to Linux or BSD, I will have a much easier time if my data is in ODF or Scribus format than if my data is bound up in Word or Publisher format. I’ve heard many Linux users say that they switched to Linux when they realized that all the software they were using on Windows (firefox, openoffice.org, etc) would run better on Linux, so why not switch?

   Incompatibility is the cornerstone of the Microsoft Empire. If we existed on a level playing field, I would say refusing to port to proprietary platforms would be a good stand to take. But in the real world, it plays right into MS’s hands - yet another brick in the barrier users must scale to switch platforms. If you took a survey of Linux users who still have Windows installed on a machine, I will bet you the #1 reason is that they have data in a format that cannot be accessed with libre software on Linux. I still have a Windows partition for that very reason.

7. enric

   17|Jan|2007 7

   Another way of looking at it is that by having free open source programs available to windows users like myself, we learn that there are alternatives, we can test them and use them, and eventually make the step to Linux. I personally would make the change today, but it’s far more difficult to force that change on my supported users.

   Think of as open-source windows products provide a stepping stone to eventual windows-freedom, the undeniable, but sometimes not as simple as it seems, goal of anyone who loves computers.

   my two cents, thanks….

8. Bryan Nielsen

   11|Feb|2007 8

   I am a computer teacher for an elementary school. I teach all the open source tools on xp boxes. I am glad that these programs are ported because it allows me to teach and generate more interest in open source software. Several of my 5th and 6th graders know GIMP better than I and they usually show me cool tricks. My teachings are not complete without a good opensource version of flash animation. Any suggestions?

9. minorstatistic

   05|Apr|2007 9

   Trots vs Stalinists, I don’t know, but I do believe that Gonçalves is just plain wrong. The more open source software becomes available under proprietary systems, the more likely the user will question why they pay for the system when the same software can run under, (free), Linux.

   For example, I’ve just comissioned some design work from a Mac user with Scribus as the common software program, (I’m on Kubuntu). The designer is now wondering whether she could ditch the Mac.

10. Dave

    08|Apr|2007 10

    Interesting that the view that having open source alternatives on propriatory platforms is a good thing came out stronger in the debate above.

    Our view at LWM - if I may speak for John as well as myself - is that applications open people’s eyes to what the open source community can deliver, and that it might help to convince them that an alternative OS might not be a bad thing.

    Does anyone have a suggestion for Bryan’s lack of an open flash application, above?

11. Tony

    10|Apr|2007 11

    I have never used Linux before and I am not sure how hard it is to install and maintain, but having Windows options helps me move away from MS and other companies. I reformatted my Hard Drive and the only non-open source products I installed was Windows One Care and Quicken. I researched and found Open Source alternatives to Office, FTP, Photoshop, HomeSite, etc. And it was very satisfying. And if i could find a decent alternative to Quicken, I would use it. I just found Scribus and intend on giving it a test.

12. Ross

    08|May|2007 12

    On the topic of restricting the porting of OS apps to proprietary operating systems, I must disagree with the people against it.

    I have run various distros of Linux and while I thoroughly enjoyed the ease of installation and wide variety of applications available for many different purposes, I still struggle (as a designer/photographer) to get the perfect setup on any of the distros I like.

    It’s nice to test the software under a proprietary operating system, but unfortunately Gimp’s lack of CMYK support and there not being a viable alternative for the photo printing software I use, it’s still a dream.

    I’m not a fanboi either way, but Ivo; I think your attitude is more likely to keep Linux for geeks only, and not going to allow mainstream users to move across. Not everybody has the time to install a new operating system, only to discover that it doesn’t serve the purpose as elegantly as Windows/OSX.

    This is a real world, and really… it’s not life or death for you or your dog if people can test drive Scribus on their current operating system. If anything it’s a very good thing for open source… it will give them more of a reason to consider moving…

13. Angela Parker

    22|Aug|2007 13

    I understand both sides of this Linux vs. Windows OS debate. But, those of us who are running a business can’t uproot our operating system and all of our software all at once. (There would be no time left to actually earn a living.)

    Personally, I’ve got a two year plan for my own business conversion. Happily, I’m almost a year into the plan and I’ve converted MOST of my software over to open-source software — but I can only test software that will work on BOTH platforms.

    A “Publisher” replacement and a “Quick Books” replacement and a “OneNote” replacement are the final hold-outs. I’ll be working to lean Scribus and the new windows version of GNU-Cash and PostBooks to get that down to just ONE application that I still need. I may even be ahead of schedule on my conversion! (Imagine that)

    I have to learn the software now, so that when I’m dealing with an OS conversion, I’m not also battling the learning curve on new software.

    With multiple platform open-source software, conversion is a viable option for me… AND my business!

14. Liz

    23|Mar|2008 14

    Angela,

    There’s some good opensource ERP software, I don’t know too much but OpenBrave, Compiere and Adiempiere have gotten good reviews. That’ll keep your accounting and most other parts of your business under control.

    Liz

15. Angela Allen Parker

    24|Mar|2008 15

    Thanks for the info, Liz!