[maemo-developers] Hello Maemo - CFSONID 2008

[From: Robert Schuster]

Hi.

Quim Gil schrieb:
> The campaign proposal is interesting. I wonder if Nokia is the main
> target, though. Sure, Nokia is one of the targets but perhaps it's the
> own community of developers who could make a change. Or did the Linux &
> open source communities wait for IBM, Intel, HP and so on to come up
> with the desired support while campaigning?
>
> Coding has been the best campaign of Linux and open source. Who is
> stopping you on what from coding to increase the freedom of the maemo
> platform?
If I would start coding to 'correct' every free software avoiding
business decision I certainly need more than one life.

Additionally I am already spending time to create a 100% free software
platform. Its called GNU and I am part of a small subproject called
Classpath. ;)

Now the funny thing: Recently people found out that building something
on top of what GNU provides can make up a successful business. But
instead of following the idea that brought GNU into existance they add
proprietary software again.

So the answer is "no". As long as Maemo's goal is not 'providing a 100%
free platform' as well I[0] will not contribute[1] to it and I expect
that with more and more freedom respecting projects/products you will
have a hard time finding people who do.

In the FAQ[2] it is said that "Maemo doesn't mean anything". I think
that with Nokia's continued non-focus on free software people will
associate the term with half-open and non-freeness.

See also the comment someone added to the Wiki[3]: "I think the simple,
and widely publicized, answer here is "No". ;) —generalantilles 16:09, 2
June 2008 (UTC)"

>> Benefits: I am not a lawyer, marketing expert, economist or else. Ask
>> them if you want advice. However a commodization of portable devices
>> like the ITs is likely.
>
> Lawyers, marketing experts and economists will tell you that companies
> like Nokia make their profits on differentiation rather than
> commoditation. There are parts of the platform where commoditation is
> preferred i.e. the L:inux kernel, but keeping a leading position in a
> market with 100% commoditized products is almost a mission impossible,
> specially when starting a new family product like these lovely Internet
> centric devices with touch screen and etc.
I wonder what customers want and who is listening to them. I am not a
customer
because there is no company making me a suitable offer.

> Yes, wiki please. There are already ideas on your direction there. If
> the community has a concrete plan, then it's easier for Nokia to deal
> with it.
I added "Get official statement about Nokia's stance towards software
freedom" for this.

Regards
Robert

[0] - others are free to do whatever they want
[1] - as in dedicate time to it
[2] - http://test.maemo.org/faq/faq.html#general
[3] - https://wiki.maemo.org/Increasing_transparency

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