Freeware Movement & The Common Man

The Freeware Movement may seem to have started a long back. But has it affected the Common Man in India?

The answer is mostly 'No'. This is because the people have this mindset and they have come to accept that Windows and other popular software synonymous to 'Computer'.

I have helped some of my neighbours and relatives picking up a new computer. I have urged them to take up Linux as their operating system. Most of them had no idea what that was and for the others, they insisted on Windows, saying that Linux was crappier.

The worst part is that most of the vendors here provide a pirated copy of the software, given free of cost. For me, it is totally unethical.

With the gap between paid software and freeware narrowing in terms of functionality, when will the people of India start considering freeware as a better alternative than a bunch of crap?
When will they realize that piracy = stealing from others' pockets?
Is there a way to change the popular mindset?

All we can do for now is sit and watch time take its course.

Its pay back time

For all those who use torrents for file sharing, this is a time for giving something back to the sharing community. The Pirate Bay, one of the biggest sites hosting torrent files and the largest torrent tracker has been put on trial. Here's something you could do to protest against this.

Visit the site trial.thepiratebay.org.
Get in touch with what is going on in the community.

The best way is to protest through your local media.
Visit trial.thepiratebay.org/2009/02/16/publish-as-us-in-your-country/#more-171
to know what to do.


Here are some excerpts from the article:

"...Our adversaries basically wants to close down internets and remodel it into something similar of a sodamachine serving entertainment. During the trial, the prosecutor together with a coterie of representatives for a disabled business model will put up a tacky theater by telling stories designed to convince the court that The Pirate Bay infact is a menace to society...."

"...The future is built by us. Us who participate in conversations. The future is built by us who explore how information and performativity is coming together..."