Open Source vs Commercial software

I've recently learned after many years of using open source software that is sometimes it's simply more cost effective to just pay for commercial software as opposed to going to extreme lengths to get a free solution to work.

Blender (an open source 3d tool) is in my opinion an exception to this, as I've found it to be extremely competitive and up to the industry standard. But I have recently steered clear of other "free" solutions.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• open
• source
• commercial
• blender
• 3d
• discussion
• commentary

[Timzero4]

Open source makes computer software available to everyone, regardless of income. What do you have to say to the majority of people on this planet who don't have $30? Are you of the opinion that only the wealthy should have access to software or educational material? Of course Open Source isn't perfect but neither is commercial software.

[gorogawa]

There are some Free Software applications that are paid! "Free Software" means "Libre Software" and not "Gratis Software"! And there's professionally-provided paid education for Free Software, too! E.g: Java, PHP, MySQL, Redhat certificates .. etc. And there are other programs released under a Free license but are only obtainable for money! Please don't mix concepts, people! FOSS isn't always for free.

[necopost]

Bugs can be fix. Use the free software and reports the bugs, that how you can help if don't know how to code yourself.

Blender would not be this powerful free software now if we did buy commercial software instead of using it when it was buggy.

[rabidmonkeyjoe]

i agree with lack of keeping up to commercial standards in most open source software, in my opinion, gimp just plain sucks when compared to photoshop, corel painter essentals 4 or even easy paint tool sai, and it has horrible bugs from what ive seen, ys the open source concept is great in terms of philosphy, but in reality its lacking in most free programs and games, i want to spend time creating and learning the software, not fixing its issues thats the creators job, is blender really as good?

[Sowldred]

There's nothing wrong with charging for education. But of course, there is something wrong with charging a fortune to commoners (speaking with experience since I was supposed to fork up money I can never earn on my own just for something simple).

Regardless, your tutorials have been really REALLY useful to me which is why I doubt I'd regret purchasing the WOW Factor. XD

[rockjas]

There is a lot of confusing things about Free software or Libre software and Open source software that may let people think that everything that is Open source should be Free of charge !

Historically, Open sources softwares were freely available because everyone were working on...

And because you can't sell a car that everyone has the key, you have to make money with the surrounding of that car ! Options, services, courses, products, etc... That's how the Open Sources developers makes money !

[davemj100]

Andrew, the important thing though is you do seem to be mixing up various concepts.

Free Software does not have to mean free (as in beer) software. Open Source does not mean that is not commercial. Open Source software does not have to be free (as in free beer), it just has to be Free. (And there is a bit difference here).

Open Source software companies often provide pay for support services (e.g. Pay for Tutorials.). Charging money does not break with the Open Source Ideals.

[Timzero4]

Ok, then, the vid is about what software & educational material is better. I am intimately familiar with Autocad, 3d Max & Blender. Of those 3, Blender is the superior 3d package...currently. This includes the Blender tutorial material I've collected in the past 2 yrs. Your interest in making money is fine but don't mislead by taking shots at Open Source software in order to do so. In the mean time, I hope you make crap loads of money...you & Microsoft & Apple...and BP....:)

[dodgydavec]

You are right in saying paying for decent software is a good idea. Sadly, as has already been said here, not everyone has the money spare to do that. What a lovely world it would be if we all did, eh?

[razieraziel]

good subject but to much talking :] I w8 for more vids ^^

[AlexanderLee1]

@Timzero4 No one has a right to the product of someone else's labor. It's not an question of whether or not someone "should" have access to products/services. It's a question of whether or not the producer of said products/services is willing to give it away for free or for a fee.

Anyway, the issue you are bringing up is not related to this video. This video is not about the morality of commercialism; it's about what type of software and education is best for the artist to choose