On 2015-05-02 11:44, Bernhard M. Wiedemann wrote:
The actual question to be discussed below is slightly different then the "Why are we here" in the title, but as philosophical and possibly even more important to us.
In this talk https://events.opensuse.org/conference/osc15/proposal/650 it was discussed, that communication is important and that more important than _what_ we are doing and _how_ we are doing it, is _why_ we are doing it. And it is important to put this "why" answer first. All the other stuff is just minor details which follows.
Which brings us back to the important question: Why are we here, or more precisely
_Why are we contributing to free/libre/open source software_ (the openSUSE project and upstream software in our case)
I already asked a few people and got several good reasons:
1) Because I want to help FLOSS to make the world a better place. (related: Because it makes me proud, knowing that many people using it for all kinds of tasks)
2) Because software should be free (since I have already written it, distributing it is free, it is useful to other people and they are even contibuting (ideas and some patches) back)
3) Because I want to use the best (in some of the dimensions of best) software (related: because I do not want to use proprietary software crap)
4) Because I can make it to do what I want.
5) Because there is a Challenge (while doing something that is useful and cool)
6) Because it is Fun
7) Open Source Operating Systems are the only solution that you can trust your own computer.
8) Only Open Source Development model guarantees that the group or company will keep a fair buisness model in future.
=> 10) Open Source Systems are the minimal requirement for any kind of democracy in future when more and more private data and decisions are processed by computers.
The human society can not survive without open source anymore.
Because I can look inside, understand and modify it. Because it gives me Privacy and Safety Because it is interesting for the choice of tools and language. Because it is empowering Because I want Continuity: Software stays around and can not be discontinued Because you get respect from people reading your code Because of the ability to build upon - standing on the shoulders of giants. Because I want to repay what open source software gave me. (same: Because I want to give back.) Because it looks good on my CV and makes it easier to get a good job. Because it feels good to collaborate to get something done Because it is good to share things Because OSS projects are more efficient (with many reviews to get rid of bugs) Because I like socialism (because solving a problem once is more economic) related: Because I do not want effort to be wasted on developing software twice. Because I feel part of it and I can interact with people. Because it allows to learn from each other Many good reasons I would like to see on a future www.opensuse.org site. Ciao Bernhard M. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-project+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, email: opensuse-project+owner@opensuse.org