Time to get it. It's not about 'Is Linux ready for the desktop?', or even switching to open source software, be it Linux, *BSD, Solaris, etc.; it's time to get why open source software is important for you, for the nation, and for the planet.
Forget the FUD. Forget the lies. When the RIAA itself has to switch to a Linux server (and who wants to bet that is one of the hackers' top targets); when Microsoft wants to control electronic voting (no source code for you!); when it becomes clear that the media giants, telcos, and MS want to lock you into their vision of the future of a never-ending revenue stream, regardless of privacy, fair use, or other considerations, then you need to take notice.
And forget the idea that electing someone with a magical letter in front of their locale will save the net, prevent media/telco/OS lock-in; they are some of the biggest recipients of lobbyists' largesse.
It's astounding that more progressives don't get the significance of this, and how it ties into to everything that we want to accomplish: using older computers longer is a very green thing to do; open source voting prevents rigged elections; open source computing means that you are free to do what you want, when you want with the software and the hardware you have; open source software is good for the poor in developing and third world countries--giving them educational and informational opportunities on older hardware they otherwise would not have; open source software means more security for you against identity theft and other growing menaces on the internet; and the list just goes on and on.
I guess if it's not something that is easily digestible, all served up in a nifty package, or doesn't appeal to the reptilian brain stem (my candidate roolz! yer candidate suckzorz!), and involves learning about a new paradigm, then it's just not worth it for some.
It's truly a shame. But, in a few years' time, when the telcos/media giants/MS have all but completely locked down the US into a virtual digital sandbox disconnected from the rest of the world, those of us who were offering warnings, guidance and education on this very topic can sit back and wonder at how fast the world adjusted in routing itself around the US as a technological, educational, research, and creative powerhouse, as America relegated itself and its citizens to second world status or worse.
And the sad thing is that it doesn't even to take much effort to help forestall these dire eventualities; start learning about open source software and using it more often on your current computing environment; educate yourself through the numerous sources freely available on the web; try some of the liveCDs free for download; ask questions (and get free answers!) on some of the most helpful forums around; or take a look here.
It does require a paradigm shift. It does require some basic learning. It does require making a minimum of effort, but the wonderful thing is that it's not a step down, but a step up: more secure, greener, more empowering, and more fun. Not to mention cheaper, which will certainly be a big consideration in the coming months and years as the price tag hits for certain overseas adventures.
If you have followed this series of diaries at all, then you know that it is not this big bad scary and impossible to fathom journey; I've documented everything I've gone through, step by step, and I've only written what I have personally experienced.
Prepare yourself with the requisite knowledge now, or find out later why it was important to do so; either way, open source software is here to stay, and will only grow in importance and influence in the coming days.