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Emil Jonathan P. Pandy EDUC 190 Reflection Paper 2008-21374/BSE CA-English Dec. 5, 2011 Reaction Paper: Revolution OS Before having seen Revolution OS, I have always thought of Microsoft as the only computer- related company that is worth acknowledging. I have always felt that no other company can ever come close to them. Simply put, I was a Microsoft fanboy. However, after viewing the documentary narrating the history and evolution of GNU, Free Source Movement, Linux, and Open Source, my thoughts changed, my perceptions widened and I felt my blind loyalty falter a bit. The documentary was successful in portraying a rather colorful and eye-opening story of the people responsible for making Microsoft shake in its own shoes and feel, for the first time, worried. What I loved most about GNU's and Linux' history was how the people behind these companies, like Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds, were described as underdogs. Microsoft has always been a gargantuan company that seemed so far ahead, but the programmers and computer geniuses of GNU and Linux showed that they had the capacity and the capabilities of catching up. Microsoft was described as a company that preferred private ownership of software and of gaining money out of the distribution of their software. On the other hand, GNU believed in Free Software, which was more about having the freedom to share and change software within a community of users. The key word that appealed to me the most was 'share.' I understood that they weren't a Communist party as they weren't forcing anyone to share. In fact, the software were still under the control of the individual user. This philosophy of sharing within a community just seems so interesting and engaging. Is it piracy? Perhaps, when people make copies of the software and distribute them for profit. But what if people just give to others to help spread the knowledge and use of such software? Is it still piracy? Or is it now social collaboration? For me, it isn't piracy because the software developed by GNU and Linux was made ultimately to be distributed freely, and thus, used freely. I see no violation whatsoever. When the number of Linux users reached the millions range, I simply became awe-struck. What started as a single, simple idea morphed into an innovative and inspiring creation that made an indelible impact in the history of computers and technology. Yes, their initial success didn't last forever, but they still came so close in overtaking Microsoft. Most importantly, they've influenced millions of users worldwide, and they are still collecting more numbers today. In the end, will I finally use Linux over Microsoft? Maybe. But have I grown an appreciation and given well-deserved respect to two companies that continue to strive to be community-oriented and pioneers of the technology generation? Definitely. Their revolution is truly a piece of history worth knowing, and I believe that this revolution will jump-start again and will continue to positively change our technology-immersed society..

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