available as a CD distribution in order to help promote OSS to users of
Windows and MacOS. Since the vast majority of desktop PCs still run
proprietary operating systems, it seems natural to provide quality OSS
that runs on these systems when trying to promote open source.
While most users of Linux and BSD swear by the technical superiority of
their OS, they also admit to having considerable difficulties in
‘converting’ their less technically inclined friends. For most computer
users, the hurdles are just too high, and when the OS is bundled with
the machine, the cost is hidden and the price comparison argument
weakened. This cost argument is much more clear on quality
applications, however, since stocking the machine with proprietary
software can easily cost as much as the hardware itself. This creates
an opening for OSS applications like Abiword, Gimp, and OpenOffice,
which are now reaching the level of maturity in terms of features and
stability that makes them suitable for the professional and novice
desktops alike.
TheOpenCD project will be a community effort, relying on input and
development efforts to produce a high quality, easy to install
compilation. In return, the wider community will get a freely
distributable compilation that can be used as a powerful tool in
promoting OSS. The single CD ISO images for Windows and MacOS will be
distributed in much the same way as ISO images for various Linux
distributions. We are therefore relying for the cooperation of a large
number of global mirror sites. Although we have no plans for a physical
distribution, others may choose to produce CDs for free distribution or
for a fee. The CDs will contain only free software and free
documentation, so there will be no limitations on duplication and
distribution of the CDs.
For a more in-depth introduction of the project, please see
theopencd.org/project.html.
