Flyback: Linux follows not leads

Something to keep an eye on: Flyback, an implementation of Time Machine for linux, based on the fact that rsync and the underlying hardlink filesystems are already there in most linux distributions.  Good point. But isn’t the point that again linux and open source developers have missed the boat?

Don’t get me wrong.  I love open source and all the great stuff that comes from it.  But why does it always seem that open source always follows and never leads the industry?  It’s not because of lack innovation.  Compiz Fusion, the klik software installation method pioneered by the KDE team, and other advancements by KDE and GNOME teams are technically brilliant.

But it’s the stuff from Apple and so on that makes people sit up and take notice. Time Machine is just another backup application, a notable hole in Apple’s line-up. But it’s (rightfully) getting a lot of attention. And that’s because it takes backup and puts it inside a metaphor that everyone can understand, just like the Desktop/file/folder metaphor did at the start of the Graphical User Interface. The “time travel” metaphor works because that’s what a good backup gives you – the ability to go back in time. That’s what’s so exciting about Apple. They did it with the Mac, they did it with Exposè, they did it with the iPod and now the iPod Touch/iPhone. It’s about making it easy to understand and therefore easy to use. As far as I can see the open source community has the technical brilliance to compete, but not the vision. I think the time is coming when open source will lead in these areas too.

Can’t wait!

(or in Slashdot terms, I for one welcome our vision imbued open source overlords!)