My presentation in "ICT in our lives" in Faculty of Commerce, Alexandria University, Dec 2013 Trying to understand the IT industry trends in the lights of the game theory, with a focus on cloud computing and FOSS.

1. Everything is a Game
Ahmed Mekkawy
ahmed@linuxawy.org

2. About the Presenter
•
•
•
•
•
Free Software Activist.
Founder of Spirula Systems.
Admin in EGLUG.
Co-founder in OpenEgypt.
Independent consultant in MCIT.

3. Disclaimer
This presentation is discussing the
analogy between specific cases in the
game theory and IT evolution. This
isn't a scientific research, though it
depends on popular theories.

4. Everything is a Game?
• Could games contain the wisdom
we seek? (yeah it sounds crazy).
• Let's assume a strategy, multiplayer, not zero-sum (the world
actually grows).

5. Games
• Start all alike.
• Differentiate,
innovate,
take
different paths, be unpredictable
some times.
• As the world gets more mature,
best actions are the similar to your
opponents, not the individually
most beneficial move.

6. So I can't innovate?
Of course you can. Just tell the others
what is the good things you are doing
so you can all help each other (you do
want that to happen).

7. Computing
•
•
•
•
Mainframe + terminals.
PCs and similars.
Open Internet.
Mobility and Cloud.

8. Proprietary Vs. FOSS
•
•
•
•
Software was free/libre.
Open letter to hobbyists.
Proprietary software.
GNU, Linux, and FOSS.

9. Is this theory about Games?
From Wikipedia:
Game theory is a study of strategic
decision making. More formally, it is
"the study of mathematical models of
conflict and cooperation between
intelligent rational decision-makers".
An alternative term suggested is
interactive decision theory. Game
theory is mainly used in economics,
political science, and psychology, as
well as logic and biology.

10. Conclusion
Work Casually
and
Play Hard
Ahmed Mekkawy
ahmed.mekkawy@SpirulaSystems.com
This presentation was made using 100% FOSS: LibreOffice / LXDE / Debian Jessie GNU/Linux