I was invited to attend the first “FLOSSIFY” last weekend.  Not only was it a fantastic experience of collaboration between like-minded people, it was a great opportunity to realize once more why I don’t like big cities.  But that’s not the point.

This collaborative effort was hosted (collaboratively, no less) by Eyebeam in NYC, which provided the space and equipment and some of the manpower, and FLOSS Manuals, which provided the web framework for manual writing as well as the dynamic expertise of Adam Hyde.

The purpose of FLOSSIFY is to rewrite books which explain or make use of non-free software, replacing the references with FLOSS examples.  At this first event, we reworked Digital Foundations, a fairly simple and nicely laid out book about computer graphic design principles.

I think one of the important aspects of choosing free software over non-free is often missed – that is, free software helps to create a culture, both within and without the world of technology, that is focused on being better rather than being profitable.  Free software enables the use of open standards that help create which is accessible by anyone, not just those who have bought a particular popular (expensive) piece of software.  It is also frequently as good or better in many respects than that which is available commercially.  Fruitful collaboration in Open Source projects enables many ideas to penetrate the work, increasing creativity; also, it can help build relationships in unique and beneficial ways.

While it is difficult for many people to break free from the concept that bought software must be better, I am encouraged by the rise of such projects as FLOSS Manuals and “FLOSSIFY”.  I hope people will become increasingly open to better alternatives in software and data structures so that the effort of free software can continue to grow dramatically and improve the face of technology for us all.

If you are interested in the progress of the first “FLOSSIFY” event (it is at this writing almost complete), you can see the book here.  You can also get more of an inside look at the event on the FM blog. sap cloud . . Peta satelit dunia