@Aki I don't understand why you have such a problem with freeware. Look at operating systems. Most Unix and Linux versions have been free from time immemorial yet Windows, MacOS and some varieties of Linux and Unix that charge are thriving. How would you explain this? Beeing free in itself is not necessarily an indicator of quality neither does it mean it scratches the itches of the users. Quality is not something that is directly linked to cost. Neither is utility. As for the ICT Board / KEBS I will withhold my opinion until I find out exactly who are participating in that committee On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 7:34 PM, aki <aki275@googlemail.com> wrote:
On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 6:46 PM, Steve Obbayi <steve@sobbayi.com> wrote:
@Aki when you talk about regulating the theoretical and practical aspects of writing and executing software codes doesn't that responsibility fall with my compiler. coz as far as i am concerned my C++ compiler comply to certain standards. But what I can say is that it would be important to have standards that cover issues like does that software have nasty habits like embedded spy ware within it? something like the posta case. that certainly needs to be regulated among other things i could list here.
@Steve, I really hope that the 2 bodies use standards to identify code, source techniques esle they may end up giving a ISO compliance badge to someone who may have just have inserted copyright code,themes, brushed the guis and call it kenyan software. I'm also eager to see what Kebs and ICT board comeup with. But this is definately a step forward towards keeping out the cheats from the serious ones. How can one prove that the code is theirs? I believe the local software development will get a kick start and also create a demand.
@Aki another thing when you say FREEWARE are you referring to utilities like my DVD Decrypter that i use to backup my DVD's or are you referring to stuff like Joomla/Drupal which people download for FREE customize and SELL to clients? Coz if thats the case then I totally agree with you
I think the commercial aspect is of concern. By Freeware, I think anything that is offered commercially and monetary transactions take place, while the coding was borrowed. Whether proprietory or open source, there has to be incentive to develop apps that one can find a market for or atleast create a demand for. As long as freeware rules, no one is going anywhere, unfortunately.
Me thots