As Ubuntu matures, it becomes a more and more credible option for operating systems.
There is an interaction between changes that happen in technology, changes in economics, and changes in society. The software industry is at the heart of these fundamental economic and social changes. More than any other time in history, software matters. In his keynote speech at the 2008 O’Reilly Media Open Source Convention (OSCON), Ubuntu founder and Open Source guru Mark Shuttleworth discusses how free software is the best way to drive wealth-creating opportunities.
What is needed to keep the pipeline of innovation full? Shuttleworth believes that Open Source development is the best way to stimulate innovation because collaboration and participation are encouraged. The Open Source community has stimulated innovation by building the platforms for it. Allowing plugins, tolerating other platforms, and enabling everyone to participate are crucial aspects. Innovation on the business side of things, together with innovation in technology, drives progress. Shuttleworth explores complimentary economic models that balance the demands of the user with the need to finance development. He believes that advertising is not a way to achieve a vibrant and sustainable web “eco-system”, and that providing services will justify continued investment. Shuttleworth also discusses how free software is changing software development methodologies and processes.
As Shuttleworth puts it, “this is not the end of the story by any means.” His final challenge to Open Source developers is to blow by Apple in terms of User Experience and “lift the Linux desktop experience to something that is art.”
IT Conversations | O’Reilly Media Open Source Conference | Mark Shuttleworth
David Ing blogs at coevolving.com , photoblogs at daviding.com , and microblogs at http://ingbrief.wordpress.com . A profile appears at LinkedIn , and an independent description is on Wikipedia .
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