Well, not the ORIGINAL Productivity Paradox, but I do love alliteration!
Instead of my normal tip this week I vent, just a bit about the Freeware Fallacy, how free software is in fact a charade, and in many ways stifles inovation. We don’t need 5,000 note taking apps, we can’t use 5000 note taking apps, and we don’t have time to figure out which one is best!
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Steve Dotto is one of Canada's most respected geeks. For over 15 years, as host and executive producer of Dotto Tech, a nationally syndicated TV show, Steve has entertained and educated millions of Canadians on all aspects of technology.
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“Free vs. paid” is orthogonal to “meets my productivity needs vs. rubbish”. I use countless free tools that fully meet my needs (and a lot that don’t), and I’ve paid for tools only to discover that they’re rubbish (with almost NONE meeting my needs). I’m a LOT more peeved when I waste my time AND my money. So now I always start with free/libre software—only if nothing there meets my needs, do I consider for-pay options. Or, I just invest a little time and code up precisely what I need if it’s that important (though I know that’s not the solution for everybody).
Hey Dotto,
Loved the video. After watching, I’m sold. Free, in many cases, robs us of better tools.
“Free vs. paid” is orthogonal to “meets my productivity needs vs. rubbish”. I use countless free tools that fully meet my needs (and a lot that don’t), and I’ve paid for tools only to discover that they’re rubbish (with almost NONE meeting my needs). I’m a LOT more peeved when I waste my time AND my money. So now I always start with free/libre software—only if nothing there meets my needs, do I consider for-pay options. Or, I just invest a little time and code up precisely what I need if it’s that important (though I know that’s not the solution for everybody).