Foreigner in a Free Land

Abstract

There is a lot written about the world of Linux, Free, Libre or Open Source Software production. Most of it is gushingly positive and written in a manner that only seeks to promote the benefits of this type of software over the apparently dominant corporate or proprietary forms. Supportive reportage generally posits Floss (Free/Libre Open Source Software) as being more advantageous in terms of personal or community autonomy than are the dominant corporate/proprietary alternatives. The basic argument is based upon the premise that Floss grants to the technologically savvy user/producer greater control over the machine to which their production is tied.

Keywords: Free and Open Source Software, The Commons