3 ms·
Best: We need to stop making our preference on software an ethical issue and accept that proprietary software isn't bad just because it's not free.
by hoorayimhelping 9y ago
Best: We need to stop making our preference on software an ethical issue and accept that proprietary software isn't bad just because it's not free.
- peatmoss 9y agoI'd posit that ethical reasons are a great basis to choose software. You either support the values that your software espouses or you don't. There isn't a correct answer there. Stallman has a "Why Open Source Misses the Point" article that I find pretty compelling. It suggests you should support Free Software because it's the right ethical thing to do, not because of the many instrumental utility arguments of the Open Source movement. He calls out specifically the notion that Open Source is intrinsically higher quality than commercial software. Indeed there are many high quality, well-functioning commercial bits of software out there. So, either the ethos of Free Software appeals to you, and you should choose it regardless of whether it is the highest quality, or you don't, in which case the function of the software should be your guide. I personally find the ethical argument compelling, and so often do forego "better" software in favor or freer software.
- skrebbel 9y agoI'd posit that ethical reasons may be the best reasons to do anything at all. Of course, the debate on how unethical using non-free software is has been going on for decades and both sides have reasonable arguments. Also, we're all people and hypocrites by definition. I do stuff that's against my fundamental morals every day (eg go to the cinema instead of save a life with the same money). Similarly I think I agree with the Stallmans of this world but I use Windows anyway. But still, "let's not let ethics get in the way of making choices" isn't the best argument I've ever read on HN :-)