Would Adobe Creative Cloud Be the Most Expensive Software on Linux if it Were Proprietary?
Phishing for the rare instance where a software utility might cost more than it's currently valued is a task that stretches the imagination. In a Linux ecosystem that thrives on openness and freedom, the idea that a piece of proprietary software such as Adobe Creative Cloud could take root presents a fascinating thought experiment. Let's delve into the intricacies of open source software and explore why LaTeX stands out as the most costly if it were to go proprietary, with Wine close behind.
A Global Misunderstanding of What Open Source Is
Open source software is often perceived as free and available without cost. However, this perception is based on a misunderstanding of the true nature of open source. Open source software is not entirely devoid of financial transactions, but these transactions occur in different forms. Users may #8220;pay#8221; with their time, contributing to the development, testing, and maintenance of the software. Additionally, open source projects often monetize through other channels; for example, donations, licensing fees for commercial use, and corporate sponsorship.
Corporations Making Money from Open Source
Lets take a closer look at how large corporations like Red Hat, Canonical, Google, and others derive their income from open source:
Red Hat: Known for its Ansible and other cloud products, which generate significant revenue through licensing and support contracts. Canonical: The company behind Ubuntu, monetizes through various channels, including support, training, and professional services. Google: Benefits from Linux in its cloud services, where it uses the open source kernel to build more efficient and cost-effective solutions. Linux Foundation: With projects like Kubernetes and OpenStack, the foundation generates revenue from its events, training, and certification programs. Microsoft: Despite its historical rivalry with open source, Microsoft has embraced open source through projects like Edge and contributions to various open source initiatives.Even Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions have explored and supported open source projects, recognizing the potential for cost savings and innovation.
Linux Sphere and Essential Packages
The Linux environment is filled with essential tools and software packages. For instance, while there are expensive software packages like AutoCAD, the most indispensable software would likely be C compilers or package managers. These utilities are fundamental to system and application development, and their absence would render the entire ecosystem nearly inoperative.
The Comparison: Proprietary vs Open Source Software
Let’s compare some popular proprietary and open source software to understand the differences:
Proprietary SoftwarePricingOpen Source AlternativeStatus SQL Server 2017$3,717 per corePostgreSQL - FreeCommercial/Free Intel C Compiler$699 per yearGNU Compiler Collection (GCC) - FreeCommercial/Free Windows Server Essentials$501Any Linux Distro - FreeCommercial/Free Adobe Photoshop$239.88 per yearGIMP/Krita - FreeCommercial/Free Autodesk Maya$195.00 per monthBlender - FreeCommercial/Free Microsoft Windows Home$139.00Any Linux Distro - FreeCommercial/Free Microsoft Office$70 per yearLibreOffice - FreeCommercial/FreeWhile the open source alternatives are free, their maintenance and support do require resources from the community, which in turn attracts developers and supporters.
Why LaTeX and Wine?
Reflecting on LaTeX, a typesetting system used in academia, writing, and publishing, it stands out as a prime candidate for becoming the most expensive if it were to go proprietary. Not only is it central to the workflow of many professionals, but its versatile and powerful nature would attract a significant user base, making it a target for monetization. Moreover, Wine, a software compatibility layer, would also be in high demand for users seeking seamless integration with Windows applications on Linux systems.
Conclusion
In the vibrant and dynamic Linux ecosystem, the concept of proprietary software seems alien. Open source has thrived on collaboration, community, and innovation, providing solutions that are available to everyone. However, the thought experiment of what might happen if key open source tools were monetized reveals the true value and indispensability of these utilities to our digital lives. LaTeX and Wine stand out as exemplars, embodying the spirit of essential, yet often taken-for-granted, software.