Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS)
Introduction
In an age where we are increasingly giving away our autonomy and privacy, and where our private and professional lives are controlled by subscription models, the privacy-centric and open access world of free and open-source software (FOSS) is now more intriguing and attractive than ever before.
However, the FOSS landscape is not quite as it seems if you consider that many multi-national corporations support and finance the development of many open-source projects. There is certainly a dichotomy here that can seem difficult to grasp, but this should not disuade further investigation.
Having spent my career working with industry standard coporate offerings, such as the Adobe Creative Suite and the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, there is something attractive and alternative in plotting a new journey through the FOSS landscape. After all, there is very little that cannot be achieved with FOSS that is done so with so-called industry standard software.
Now in the twilght of of my career, alternative thinking and approaches appeal evermore. Soon, I expect to set up and operate on a ‘FOSS-basis’. This is not because I do not want to pay for software that helps me generate income — I will be making financial donations and contributions to development — but because I susbscribe to this model. A somewhat ironic statement as it is the issue of subscription attached to all aspects of our personal and professional lives that I dislike so much. A paradigm and cognitive shift is needed!
Just one proviso. I’m only considering software that you can download and install locally, on your own equipment, and that which doesn’t need an online connection to work. I’m excluding so-called ‘freemium’ software that is free to use until you need a certain feature(s). This is not the same as open-source. I’m also ignoring the huge array of online-only tools that are available. I’ll discuss these elsewhere at a later date.
Linux
These days, most open-source software is available on all platforms, including the ubiquitous macOS and Windows. I have been a user of both platforms during my career, though have enjoyed macOS as my personal and professional choice for the last 25 years plus. However, to maintain the spirit of FOSS, perhaps we should be considering an alternative and approporiate OS such as Linux?
Originally developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, the UNIX-derived Linux distributions (aka distro) includes the kernel and supporting system libraries and software, many of which are developed by third parties. It is likely the largest open-source, community-driven project in existence.
In the past, you had to be a total geek to install and understand Linux. Today, it’s completely different. There are dozens of distros (distributions) of Linux; Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, Debian, Mint, elementary, Arch, Asahi, Zorin, Kali… and many more, though often based upon one of the core distros such as Ubuntu or Debian. Each provides a slightly different GUI and experience; some follow the Linux standard, some Windows-like, others Mac-like, but mostly all straight-forward to install and use these days.
Another reason to consider going down the Linux route is efficiency and speed, notwithstanding the claim to privacy. After all, consider that most web servers and online storage systems are Linux-based. It has a smaller footprint and overheads than Windows or macOS, and thus runs quickly and reliably.
Core Alternatives
This shift would not be possible if relevant and applicable software did not exist. Fortunately it does, in abundance. So what would replace the so-called industry standard software I currently use? As such, I’m referencing Adobe Creative Cloud Suite as the baseline and standard.
Often there is a slight mindset change in the way software works, but that is a good thing as we far too often create solutions based upon the technological features of our favoured software. We should also recognise that in so many workflows, we never use the full suite of features and tools available, especially in an application like Photoshop.
Illustrator › Inkscape
Inkscape is a very capable and equally professional application. Underestimated by many, it has features that Illustrator does not. Inkscape has a large and supportive community of users, and lots of tutorials and learning resources. There are numerous developed extensions that offer specialised graphics processing. Moreover, the native format is SVG, so a format that can actually be edited with a plain and simple text editor!
Photoshop › GIMP
A somewhat more quirky GUI if you are used to Photoshop, but it still does most of what Photoshop can. I find some features more intuitive than Photoshop. Again, there is a large supportive community and resources available to help you get going.
InDesign › Scribus
There is less choice in the area of desktop publishing, but fortunately Scribus is well established and reliable, though arguably not as well developed as the above. However, I feel, again, it can achieve more than 90% of whatever needs you have.
ArcGIS › QGIS
A bit of a no-brainer. QGIS has been around for a long while and is the first choice of many professionals regardless, notwithstanding its open-source nature. Powerful, extendable and with a huge supportive community. There’s simply no need to look elsewhere even though there are hundreds of open-source tools in this category, many exisitng as plugins to QGIS.
After Effects › Blender
You could argue that this is also a no-brainer. Blender is enormously powerful and capable. Apart from its excellent 3D modelling and animation capabilities, there even exists a GIS plugin which can make it a very useful tool in mapping, along with its ability to render beautiful and natural hillshading.
Premiere Pro › Da Vinci Resolve
Another tool that already has a large professional base of users, including Hollywood. Incredibly powerful at all stages of movie making without the need for separate tools. It even now has a photo editing section. Lookout Photoshop!
Summary
In truth, there is very little that cannot be achieved with FOSS. There are only a handful of Mac-only apps I would miss, assuming I moved to Linux as an OS. A first step, maintain your existing OS, whether Mac or Windows, and cancel your subscriptions. Replace your software. Accept the learning curve. Go FOSS. Be brave! Be alternative!
Updated: 05/26