But I’m getting a little scared. Google building a great, functional platform that’s going to entice a lot of people to spend the bulk of their time in Google software. But when we use Google products, we have no control over the software we’re using. We can’t change it. We can’t even prevent it from changing. Google has the keys to the car.

As a free software advocate, that’s scary.

As a user, it should be scary too. Yes, Google seems altruistic enough, but the fact is, they have interests. Often their interests align with the interests of many users, but what if you’re in the 5% whose interests are not being served? Your only option is to choose another product. Maybe find something from Yahoo or Microsoft.

But that’s not good enough for me.

And that’s why Forkolator is still important, even in the face of Yahoo Pipes, Microsoft Popfly and Google Mashup Editor. Forkolator is about giving people total control over the software they use, and encouraging uninhibited exploration of possibilities. Microsoft actively constrains our freedom to change our software. At best, Google is granting us a few limited freedoms because they’ve deemed those freedoms useful to some large segment of their user base. And because in this case, GME drives more traffic to their services.

Despite this minor detour towards proprietary software, I really believe the future of software is total Freedom. But for that to be true, we need to build infrastructure to compete with Google and we need to do it fast.

Pat O sent you this message from Southern California
Backpacking Cooperative on Meetup.com:
—————————————————————-
Hello Erik,
I have your request to join pending, your answers are fine,
that’s all I’m looking for – people who like to backpack BUT
I’m also trying to foster a group that shows some level
seriousness about it. If you are willing to change your picture
you’re in. If not, well, I pay the Meetup bill and I’m the one
that arbitrarily decides. Your choice now. I will check back
every few days and will decline you in 1 week if no change. I
think you can have separate pictures for different groups.
Pat O
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My reply:
—————————————————————-
Pat O,

Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I am a goofy guy, and if
I’m going backpacking I want to be out there with people who
will cheer me on for being me.

Erik
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