Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:17:56 +0200 From: Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: I've got a major question... Message-ID: <20190627141756.1bf4a848.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <20190627080134.000012d6@seibercom.net> References: <c99b07c9-f497-b04e-ee40-a09aec33173d@sound-by-design.com> <CAHieY7RLfbTrqrUPnbTGA-bMnbmC7hYsmnPe%2B8Wb07NpWtsszQ@mail.gmail.com> <cdb5f984-d2cc-bf55-fb75-534b4aed48f9@sound-by-design.com> <20190626063443.51ad3f1b.freebsd@edvax.de> <CAHieY7Q-EZNYwKFXVUagMcfQj34g7nR4MXhpLYF7fS8hRmpYQg@mail.gmail.com> <20190627081518.9dc6f3c2.freebsd@edvax.de> <20190627091012.44fc65a7@archlinux> <CAMz_NCrQkNr7hQ6858GzDG9BvWkn1-S6oO10_fzbOCzM_BGdTg@mail.gmail.com> <20190627103701.7ea401b8@archlinux> <20190627110340.d0d87cfe.freebsd@edvax.de> <20190627113712.8a8ffbb238f478b08514cf72@sohara.org> <20190627080134.000012d6@seibercom.net>
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On Thu, 27 Jun 2019 08:01:34 -0400, Jerry wrote: > On Thu, 27 Jun 2019 11:37:12 +0100, Steve O'Hara-Smith stated: > >On Thu, 27 Jun 2019 11:03:40 +0200 > >Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> wrote: > > > >> This is especially true when you need software for a special > >> purpose. Maybe I would call them "niche software", but it is > >> actually in heavy use, like accounting, payroll, time-work > >> management, or ticketing systems. > > > > Many many years ago the approach to choosing a computer system > > went > >like this: > > > >1: Establish your requirements > >2: Find or commission software that best supports your requirements > >3: Select a platform that runs the software you selected > >4: Iterate round 2 and 3 to optimise cost/benefit > > > > These days the common approach seems to be: > > > >1: Select platform by default > >2: Accept software on offer > >3: Adjust requirements and procedures to suit software > >4: Bitch when you find yourself locked in > > I agree with all except #3 in the second set. > > sed 's/software/operating system/' > > #4 is right on no matter what system you are utilizing. The lock-in isn't primarily with operating systems (as even "Windows" provides means for communication and data transfer from and to other systems), but with application programs and the EULAs they come with. People aren't using operating systems per se, they are using programs to achieve a certain goal. It's often questionable if the chosen software fits the purpose (which is easy when you cannot properly state your goal before you buy or license software), and processes that have to be changed to match some crooked software's expectations about how things should be done. Such kind of annoying software can probably be run on any system, and even independently, using a web interface. Still, there is a tight connection between the software and the OS, because especially "niche solutions" are developed only for one OS, supported only for one specific OS version, and EULAs state you have to use that OS or the license will be revoked. Luckily, nobody reads EULAs anyway... ;-) -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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