Warning: There’s a little more than slightly geeky content to follow. Not all of it, but a good deal of it.
When Open Office came out, I was mostly happy that I didn’t have to spend money on software that I used every day. I said, “Well, it doesn’t *exactly* render Microsoft documents the way Word would, but it’s good enough for me.” When I started programming, I realized how wonderful open source was; I could get software bits for free and not have to write them myself. Then I found Ubuntu and thought, “Finally I can build a computer and only pay for parts! And no one write viruses for Linux! Plus it’s SO stable.” I was jumping on the open source bandwagon.
[Quick side-note lesson for any non-geeks that still may be reading:]
Open Source is basically a software movement where people write software, usually offering it for free with some type of license that says you can use it, copy it, give it away, whatever you want, as long as the license goes with it (when you buy MS Word, for example, you get a license that says you can’t copy it and give it away). They also make the code they wrote publicly available for anyone to use and modify. The idea is that it fosters better programming and results in more outstanding software.[/end side note lesson]
Then I met Apple. Not only do I love my macbook more than any other computer I’ve owned, I’ve also decided I’m OK with the closedness and proprietary…ness of the components (specific iPod cables, non-standard monitor connections, etc). Now I say, “If you’re smart enough to do that, more power to you. Besides, it’s based off of Linux, and no one writes viruses for Linux!”
We all know how I’m feeling about Facebook these days. They keep all my info and do only God knows what with it. And it enrages me. Well, that’s a bit harsh, but it doesn’t make me happy. But then Google provides me with yet another technology that means they’ll be able to collect habitual information about me, but I get giddy and declare my love for them all the more. Am I a flip-flopper?
I might be, but I’m OK with my inconsistency in that regard. I think the difference is that Apple and Google do some really awesome stuff with their technology, so I’m willing to sacrifice convenience or some privacy in order to take advantage of that awesome stuff. Things like Facebook, that also ask me to give up full privacy control, don’t offer me anything in return, so I can cry “foul!” and feel good about it.
I’m sure things were much more simple before all these gadgets came along. But I do enjoy my gadgets!
-j
ps> How awesome is it that Google TV will allow Kathy and I to watch the same show and translate it for her ON THE FLY?!
I'm Jason, and I like to write.
Where’s your weigh in from this week?