One of the strengths of Free Software development is that it is parallelizable. Different teams can attack different problems simultaneously to move the complete system along much faster than a traditional integrated proprietary system. I can benefit from the advances made in Microsoft file format compatibility from the authors of OpenOffice whilst the coders and users of OpenOffice can benefit from the advances in Microsoft networking compatibility made by the Samba Team. Usually we’re not even working in the same company, let alone waiting for the same management team to set our priorities. However, this can also be a great weakness when it comes time to glue all these disparate applications together into a coherent system. Unless proper care is taken the wonderful OpenOffice Microsoft file format compatibility means nothing if OpenOffice can’t transparently use the Samba code to load those files from Windows servers.
Tough love: Linux needs more haters
Published October 7, 2008 News Leave a CommentTags: aided drafting, animation, anit-virus, application, art, auditing, computer, computer accounting, computer auctions, computer cable, computer career, computer communication, computer desktop, computer dictionary, computer networking, computer problem, computer programme, computer security, computer software, computer virus, music, networking software
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