Right now the vast majority of consumer and some business software stores user data in closed formats (for example).  This means that your document or spreadsheet or multimedia application store your data in a manner that is not publicly documented.  This is in contrast with open formats (for example), whose definition is publicly documented and available.

Almost all of the time, data in a closed format is not a problem.  You have the program that created the stored file and almost every time you need to get to the data, it’s there for you.  So, what is wrong with buying and using programs or devices that use closed formats?

Without going in-depth, let me list some possible answers:

• Vendor lock-in
• Hiding spyware
• Loss of YOUR data (Try to open Word 6.0 or old Excel files in current MS Office programs. It doesn’t always work.)
• Loss of control of YOUR computer (For example, how do you know that Flash based website is not enabling your web cam and/or your microphone?)
• Data lockout (Renew your fee or kiss data goodbye.)
• Loss of fair use such as personal backups and media shifting (eg. moving from CD to music player)
• Stifling of competition
• Killing innovation
• Access content only when THEY allow, not when YOU want, even though you paid for it
• Forced upgrades
• Forced purchase of new equipment and/or new media (Want to take your DVD collection to Europe? Better take your player too since your DVDs won’t play on a european player.)
• Quashing of scientific research (Can you say “DMCA” which enforces closed formats.)

I am no fanatic. My kids go to Flash based game sites all the time (on Linux). I tend to be practical. However, unless the market (You and Me) demands full access to content I create and/or pay for, business will continue to try to hold my data hostage.

If my data is in open formats, I control when I use it. I control what program or device is used to access it. I keep more of my freedom. Therefore I sometimes tell businesses by my actions that I don’t accept my data locked away from me. Actions include purchasing a different product, not viewing their website and even doing without, in some cases.

If the market (You and Me) just accepts it, They will keep pulling every penny they can out of us. If the market (You and Me) rejects this stuff, then some of the businesses that want to keep closed formats will change their tune because of lost revenue.

Lawrence Lessig is one of the most powerful voices advocating digital freedoms. His discussions and logic, laying out how important freedom in creativity, are extremely compelling.

Where do new creative works come from? Ideas. Ideas that grew from what you learned somewhere. Ideas that you read, heard, saw go into your being where they are percolated, mixed and then come out as something new. What happens when you are prevented or even, not allowed, to draw from the pool of ideas? The world becomes “read-only” where the moneyed few control who can “read-write.” Mr. Lessig does far better in his explanation of the issues.

Free Culture: What we need from you

“Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law, Stanford Law School. In this talk, Professor Lessig describes the Free Culture movement, and the support it needs from Free Software. The struggles and the threats are largely parallel.” (LinuxWorld 2006 Keynote)

Also read up on ways you can add to the “read-write” Internet and culture with innovative licensing like Creative Commons, founded by Mr. Lessig.

The Phoenix Linux User Group (PLUG) is holding their monthly InstallFest this Saturday.  An InstallFest is an event to which you can bring your computer and volunteers help you install Linux on it.  You can even have Linux installed “beside” your current operating system if you are not ready to take the full plunge.  More description, location and instructions can be found on the PLUG website InstallFest page.

It’s an excellent place to just hang out and learn if you are not ready to get your feet wet.

Josh interviewed me for his blog. He is good at asking the right questions and has patience with someone like me who doesn’t reply for a week or more. I enjoyed the experience and the exposure he is giving to Phoenix Linux User Group (PLUG: plug.phoenix.az.us).

We discussed my views of Linux, PLUG, growing Linux among “non-geeks” and my views on digital freedom. Please check it out at http://www.joshuazeidner.com/2008/05/alan-dayley-phoenix-linux-users-group.html

Life gets busy and some things fall off the table. This, The Freedom Bytes Blog was one such thing. But, it’s now 2008! (Can you believe it!) A new year so time for a new start!

I’ve updated all the site software and am ready to get back at it again. I have some things in mind that I will be getting off my mind over the next weeks. Things that directly effect technology freedom are happening all the time. Sometimes we miss them. I’ll point out some of those things to you when I see them.

I’m also taking the philosophy that a little activity is better than none. So sometimes my postings will be very brief. I hope it will still be valuable to you.