Beyond the “LiveUSB�

[netzen]

Hi, this is my third take on the subject here. This time the arguments are around the whole FOSS (free/open source) and possible areas of opportunities (from now). And only part of this argument is related to "USBOSes" (usb O.S.).

This is just a small but I believe, very important point on effort and where part of if should be going. The reasoning will be very simple and I believe can make a good point.

Here is the point: Today 1% of the (PC) users use Linux, and the other 99% don’t.



Then, who is this "1%"?

The answer to this question, in my view, is quite simple. GNU/Linux is a greater success amongst IT professionals, technical oriented people and hobbyists alike. Because of its flexible tools and structure, GNU/Linux became a weapon for this group of users to achieve higher and powerful usage for information technology.

Much more can be done for this "1%" of users, and it will, as GNU/Linux walks towards maturity in several areas it becomes much more powerful in the hands of people in this "1%" group.

So, here is the main point of my "third take":
There are opportunities "there" on the "99%" group that today may benefit from GNU/Linux but for several reasons are not achieving a happy relationship with it.

I believe that the present and future of FOSS relies on putting part of the effort to "achieve a relationship" with the today’s non-users, changing a little from the current (and past) approach which is almost 100% focused on the "technical group" of users.

It is not the best example I can put here but take a look at the following picture.



We can definitely argue that this is "Linux" for the "99%".

Of course, the correct is that this is "Free and Open Soft for the 99%". And iPhone uses more than the BSD foundation, but the argument is that these examples of devices here can be successfully used by the "99%" group without demanding higher "technical" knowledge.

One particular important notion here is that, the "server operating system" and the "desktop operating system" are not the only ones where GNU/Linux can aim for, and these examples of devices given here show another area of importance because it can reach the other "99%" of users that can have huge benefits from FOSS, but currently are, for several reasons, not enjoying this powerful tools and resources.

In this following diagram I’m trying this argument, using the word "local" and "power" to the server and desktop installation scenarios.



hires: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/...bcb881dd_o.jpg

One consequences of my argument here is that the "Native Live USB" is as important as the "Desktop" and "Server" categories are, and with further attention and development can be of great value for the "other 99%" of "us and them".

Valter