I've been seeing an increasing attitude rising in the blogsphere lately that I think needs to be addressed, as it echoes a growing sentiment within the Linux and Open Source community. One of the biggest things we've been telling the world to do for years is to switch to Linux and Open Source. We've shouted it in the streets, preached it in the hallways, and in the case of some advocates, shoved it down people's throats with an epic sized ramrod.And oddly, despite all those who've repeatedly done it wrong, people are switching, and doing so in droves. But something else is happening because of that: Linux and FOSS are changing. People coming over from Windows are bringing their old habits and mentalities with them about what software should be, how it should act, and the rules it should abide by.Most FOSS and Linux users would have an utter cow if they knew some of the things that current Windows converts are asking Linux and FOSS to do, or what many companies new to the FOSS movement are asking the FOSS world to allow and accept, such as DRM, product activation, closed source proprietary blobs and worse. But, is it inevitable? Are these something we'll need to allow, and ultimately work with if we wish for all the world to join our camp? Oddly, I'd say yes. How much we'll be required to do that, and how much we'll actually allow, though remains to be seen.New users coming in with preconceived notions and hard wired habits from their Windows life will inevitably desire the Linux and FOSS world to fit into their narrow little mold rather than sliding comfortably into ours. We, the users of Open Source, have learned to be flexible, and are willing to adapt to meet a particular model, method, or mold as needed. But what Windows users, and some companies, demand of us many times is untenable.But despite our will to keep Open Source pure, change is coming, and it will inevitably alter how we work, think, act, and operate in the FOSS world. But all hope is not lost. The traditional ideological core of Open Source will likely remain the same for a long time to come. However, it will also find itself driven to the fringe as most new users coming in will not only not share that belief, but may actually kick against it, having been well trained by the big proprietary corporations to accept what is wrong and treat it as though it is right.That's where we step in. Even though they'll come over and try to blacken the halls of Open Source with their muddy boots, many of us will stand strong against it, fighting hard to hold onto as many of the core principles of Open Source as we can. So if we're going to fight to keep intact the things we believe in, where does that leave new users? Well, like any mud covered child, they are washable, and we can help educate them and get them to understand the true way software should be. Sure, we'll likely suffer some battle damage and possibly lose a few key battles along the way, but in the end if we stick with it, we'll win this war for the hearts and minds of the world, and actually come out the better for it.We just need to be patient, continue forward, and keep pushing for what we believe in. So don't panic and go overboard if new converts start trying to change things towards the Windows way of thinking. You can't expect a baby to run on its first day, and you can't expect former Windows users to suddenly embrace the ideals of Open Source right away either. So be patient, work with them, and continue to fight for the ideals of freedom we believe in.
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