– How do you feel about Open Source vs Proprietary software?
This can be a very passionate topic. Many of my (Linux using) peers feel very strongly about supporting ONLY Open Source software. On the otherhand, I work with people in the other camp (alsmost exclusively Microsoft) who refuse to consider the possibility that there is any merit in anything but proprietary software.
I am not an ideological pusher of either, I believe both have their places.
When I need to do image editing and graphics work, or want to chat via facetime I go to my Mac (primarily proprietary apps).
When I want to develop a bit of Java code, I go to Linux and use an Open Source IDE.
When I want to play games, or have a business app that only runs on a Windows PC (our accounting package for example) I go to Windows 7. Typically proprietary.
I will gladly use a Linux distribution that has lots of Open Source apps, and I find many of them equal to or better than their proprietary equivalents But there are definately some situations where there is no Open Source options. I find Photoshop superior to GIMP for example, and I like ARCInfo for GIS stuff and SAS for Statistical work.
So, there you have it. I have my cake and eat it too.
