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The world has changed so much since Stallman started his crusade. I'm just don't think what he's advocating is realistic which unfortunately makes most of what
by jsz0 16y ago
The world has changed so much since Stallman started his crusade. I'm just don't think what he's advocating is realistic which unfortunately makes most of what he's saying irrelevant. You simply cannot avoid proprietary software anymore. It's a nearly impossible standard for even OSS developers & users to adhere to. Think about it. You can't drive an automobile. They all use proprietary software. You probably can't even ride a bike because the traffic signals are controlled by proprietary software. You can't own most major appliances. You can own any cellular phone regardless of the operating system it runs. I guess my point is by advocating this extreme approach Stallman is hurting the cause more than helping it at this point. A more realistic approach has some chance of actually connecting with a broader audience.
- varjag 16y ago> You simply cannot avoid proprietary software anymore. Anymore? You really think it was easier in 1980s? Over the years Stallman has singe-handedly affected the software ecosystem in very tangible and important ways. Yes he may look like Osama preaching from a cave in these videos, but make no mistakes, software landscape would've been different and even more sad place if not him.
- jsz0 16y agoI do think it was easier simply because we had far less technology in our lives. Your choice of which operating system to put on your PC is ridiculously easy today but for many people it only accounts for a small amount of the software they buy, use or interact with in their daily lives.
- Daishiman 16y agoYou have no idea of what you're talking about. You can get Linux distributions that are 100% Free Software nowadays. 8 years ago that was simply impossible. You can be wholly productive on a FOSS system for a multitude of tasks. Seriously, do you even go to FOSS conferences or meetings? If anything the number of participants has increased exponentially in the last few years. More people know and use Free Software right now than at any other point in history. And more governments and states look to Stallman for solutions on many technological issues (look it up; the Indian state of Kerala, several South American countries, etc). FOSS has never been used as widely. Stallman's campaign is a resounding success in comparison to the way things were before.