AS I blogged previously, I’m all for open source, and long for the day when I can completely stop relying on Microsoft’s bloatware. Or maybe the day Microsoft finally comes out with products which aren’t bloatware — or hell freezes over, whichever comes first, heh.

The thing about Windows, however, is that the average consumer is already very comfortable with the interface. Contrary to what geeks may think, not everyone is a geek, heh, and yes, it may not sound logical, but having a pretty and user-friendly interface is a big deal for consumers.

Yeah, yeah, all you members of the Cult of Mac can stop shouting right now. We already know you have a pretty, user-friendly and powerful OS, heh

Which is why it’s great to hear that the Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute has launched a homegrown version of Linux that looks more like Windows XP.

Check out INQUIRER.net reporter Alex Villafania’s Infotech article on the launch of Bayanihan Linux version 4.

Will this prove to be an important development for open source in the country?

Let’s hope so. It’s time to break the chains.