Open source is one of the most important movements within the technology industry. Although it's not a radical new idea, we need open source now more than ever.
I believe open source to be a philosophy that extends past software development. Open source is sharing information. Allowing all consumers equal access to the product with complete ownership. Open source is freedom.
As an anti-corporatist, I'll be the first one to recommend an open source alternative. I think one of the key principles of open source is complete ownership of the end product. This is 2011, but we have let corporations and individuals take away our freedoms. We let businesses force advertisements into our websites and software. We let businesses sell our information and invade our privacy. We let businesses tell us how to use the product we purchase. To me, maybe because I'm an American or maybe because I was born after the stone age, What's mine is mine. My information, my software and my hardware is mine. If I want to run a different Operating System on my phone, I should be free to do so. If I want to run my software on a different computer, I should be free to do so. If I don't want a company selling information from my personal emails to give me "better ads", I should have the option for a better provider.
I think one of the main problems today is that we don't understand how these companies direct our lives. We let AT&T tell us we can't install certain apps. We let Apple tell us that we can't have any other OS on our iPhones. We let Sony tell us that the DVD we buy is the only copy we can have, no duplications or backup. We should all take a look around at the restrictions that have been placed on our freedoms by other companies and individuals. If you ever read the license and agreements that you accepted before buying the software or hardware you have, you would be really shocked at what rights you just gave away.
In my ideal open source world I image everyone has equal access. This means that everyone can have access to high speed internet. Everyone has software that is safe, stable and free to use. Everyone can access information freely, without the fear of viruses or malware. A parent can buy a movie, burn their child a copy, and never have to worry about buying the same movie twice. A student can buy a word processor and install it on every computer in the house. I can install any app on my phone, without limitations placed by my service provider or device manufacture. That with the unlimited data plan I purchased, I can really access an unlimited amount of data.
So what can you do to help the open source movement? There's a few things, but mostly be aware of what software, hardware or content you purchase. I don't buy hardware that place software restrictions(Apple products). I avoid all service providers that place limitations on the service I pay for(Data caps; app restrictions; or forced advertising). I also support the open source movement by using free and open software, and encouraging friends and family to do the same. The more people that know and understand the open source movement, the better things can be.