[Anonymous]

Hi,

I apologize if my question sounds misplaced or stupid.

We recently launched a CBOX site and we are hoping that people will  join/create groups and become active in them.

Exposing people to CBOX, I was asked few times about the relationships or differences between CBOX/BuddyPress and Linkedin, or in a rougher manner – “why bother with CBOX if we can use Linkedin , and, possibly, are already connected to it”.

I really like CBOX and I would like to promote the utilization of open source software. I also feel better with setting the terms of use myself, having our own design and control of the site etc. I also feel that by using CBOX we build a home dedicated to our local community rather than belonging to a wider space (which may have its own advantages).

I will be thankful for any opinion and input that will shed more light about CBOX vs. Linkedin.

Thanks!

Eyal

[Matthew K Gold]

Great question, Eyal, one that hits at the heart of the reasons we created
the CUNY Academic Commons and, later, the Commons In A Box. You’ve nicely
articulated some of the reasons why it can be better to use open-source
software rather than proprietary systems, but here are a few more, with
links to some readings. Our Lead Developer, Boone Gorges, has done some
nice writing on this that I will link to below:

1. Proprietary services may change the platform in significant ways,
putting your data or community at risk. See, for example, what Ning did
when it abruptly ended free accounts; Boone’s post on this subject
illustrates some of the dangers –
http://teleogistic.net/2010/04/importing-ning-users-into-wp/

2. Proprietary platforms, especially ones that are dependent on advertiser
funding, may mine user data in troubling ways. See Facebook (or my post on
Why I Left Facebook –
http://blog.mkgold.net/2010/05/15/why-i-left-facebook/). Generally, as
the saying goes, if the hosted service is free, _you_ are
the product

3. Free software strengthens the internet. See the EFF, or read Richard
Stallman, or read Jonathan Zittrain’s _The Future of the Internet – And How
to Stop It_ ( http://futureoftheinternet.org/blog/ ), or watch Eben Moglen
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOEMv0S8AcA — , or read this blog post
by Boone:

http://groundcontrol.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2012/11/25/free-software-development-and-the-commons/

4. Other platforms, like LinkedIn or FaceBook, can be integrated into a
Commons network if desired in various ways. But for the reasons I’ve noted
above, I think it’s better for us to own — on literal and intellectual
levels — our own platforms. That’s what CBOX is all about.

Best,

Matt

On Tue, Nov 19, 2013 at 4:52 PM, Commons In A Box <
wordpress@commonsinabox.org> wrote:

[Anonymous]

Dear Matt,

Thank you very much for your detailed reply – it was exactly what I was looking for – support for our decision to go with open source and with CBOX for practical as well as for philosophical reasons. The links you added are very helpful too.

This is a good opportunity to thank you all again for developing this amazing platform.

Best,

Eyal

[Matthew K Gold]

Thanks so much, Eyal. This commitment to free software — free as in freedom! — is what animates our project. So glad to know that it has been useful to you!

Best,

Matt

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