The free software movement recognized this problem early and has reduced the distinction to a couple of catch phrases. In the English language it’s particularly difficult because we use the word to describe two fairly radically different concepts: the freeness of liberty and monetary freeness. But on this episode I believe he has inadvertently helped to perpetuate the same kind of thinking about software that the panel had just finished expressing concern about with regard to music: the idea that the hard-earned fruits of somebody’s creative labor should be free.īefore we can understand why Leo and many other people like him have grown accustomed to expecting things “for free,” I think we need to try to develop an understanding for what it means to be free. ![]() Leo Laporte is one of the most supportive advocates for independent software developers that I have had the pleasure of (virtually) meeting. ![]() During the chat, the entire MacBreak Weekly crew discussed the danger to the music industry that comes from younger listeners having a built-in expectation that music should be free. The majority of the show up to this point had been spent chatting with Patrick Wilson of the band Weezer, about his take on technology and, among other things, the business model for selling music to the public. Now this is particularly interesting, and I don’t mean to pick on Leo, but it’s a topic worth thinking about. It just does what it does.” But later, when repeating the price and contact information, he hastens to inject that it “should be free.” “It doesn’t do much, I just love it!” He summarizes the joy it gives him by declaring “Pukka is simple. After explaining how cool it was, he hastens to add that he doesn’t know if it’s worth $14.95. Congratulations, Justin! Leo made a great case for the usefulness of the application, describing how it makes adding web pages to so easy and pleasant, even celebrating the cute smooching kiss sound it makes after it does its job.īut what I found most interesting and, as a software developer, somewhat disappointing, was the way in which Leo seemed embarrassed by the fact that the application is not free. On this week’s MacBreak Weekly, Leo chose for his pick an application called Pukka, which is a client developed by my friend Justin Miller of Code Sorcery Workshop. I was also flattered to recently hear Leo quote my twitter feedback to him about the excellent FLOSS Weekly. I have been very fortunate to have my own products picked by panelists on the show, and even by Leo himself! It’s a great honor to hear your own name spoken through those tiny earbuds, as you’re listening to the podcast. The typical show includes a light-hearted roundup of the week’s (sometimes scarce) Mac news, and some regular features such as a weekly “picks” where show panelists are invited to share a Mac application or other product which they’ve found particularly valuable. He’s doing a great service to a variety of communities, and I particularly enjoy the MacBreak Weekly show, which features regulars such as Merlin Mann and Andy Ihnatko. ![]() I love several of the podcasts produced by Leo Laporte’s TWiT Network.
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