The affable Jono Bacon has Asked us to note why we got involved in Free Software.
I think for me Free Software embodies the common sense of working for each other in a way where we are honestly aware of how much we really depend on each other’s work. In modern western life it’s too easy to believe that we are all alone and fighting for our little patch of the world.
At least with the work that I do, I serve computer users unwaveringly, sure I have fun, but I want to make a difference to the people that need to use computers in a way that doesn’t detract from their rights.
Part of my strong ethos has brought to me conclude that the part of the Free Software puzzle we do not yet culturally grasp is how non-involved users of Free Software can properly respect the developers they depend on for their software when they are not aware of how or why the software exists.
It’s just as import for users to respect developers as it is for developers to respect user’s needs. Perhaps why I try and focus on direct FOSS economics in an attempt to strengthen that bond.