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> At the core of the open source ethos is the idea of liberty. Open source is about inverting power structures and creating access and opportunities for everyon

> At the core of the open source ethos is the idea of liberty. Open source is about inverting power structures and creating access and opportunities for everyone. I think the core idea of open source is that code should be shared for free. Not shared for free (with people I politically agree with). By policing who can use software, the author's of this letter are very much going against the spirit of open source. It should not be the position of the tool maker to dictate who can use the tool they create. Once you put it out in the world, people you don't agree with will use your software (if you're lucky enough to have users that is). I see no difference in slamming Github for having a customer certain activists don't like vs the MPAA cracking down on DeCSS.

Pete_D 7y ago
> By policing who can use software, the author's of this letter are very much going against the spirit of open source. I'd be inclined to agree, but it's a little weird in this case because GitHub itself is proprietary software, so they've always been in the business of policing who can use it. Contrast: if ICE were using GitLab and GitLab decided to pull the contract, ICE could just (well, "just") self-host and be on their way. Open source in practice was always more about the freedom to walk away than about collaboration, and this is reflected in the licenses. Exit rather than voice, if you will.
anarchodev 7y ago
Yes, the idea of liberty (for everyone to use free software regardless of intent) and the liberty of immigrants in the US to live without harassment and terrorism of their communities are indeed in conflict. So you have to choose one. By not choosing one, you're choosing the existing system -- ICE uses this software to accomplish these goals. We're not trying to infringe on ICE/CBP's ability to use popular open-source software. We're simply asking some companies not to help them with support contracts. Hope this helps!
- malvosenior 7y ago
  As stated I choose the liberty of everyone to use free software regardless of intent. > By not choosing one, you're choosing the existing system It's become quite popular to say that being ok with the status quo is a political position. And while I couldn't disagree more, I've always believed in free software and I'll proudly stand by that status quo as my political position if that's how others want to view it.

Pete_D 7y ago

> By policing who can use software, the author's of this letter are very much going against the spirit of open source. I'd be inclined to agree, but it's a little weird in this case because GitHub itself is proprietary software, so they've always been in the business of policing who can use it. Contrast: if ICE were using GitLab and GitLab decided to pull the contract, ICE could just (well, "just") self-host and be on their way. Open source in practice was always more about the freedom to walk away than about collaboration, and this is reflected in the licenses. Exit rather than voice, if you will.

anarchodev 7y ago

Yes, the idea of liberty (for everyone to use free software regardless of intent) and the liberty of immigrants in the US to live without harassment and terrorism of their communities are indeed in conflict. So you have to choose one. By not choosing one, you're choosing the existing system -- ICE uses this software to accomplish these goals. We're not trying to infringe on ICE/CBP's ability to use popular open-source software. We're simply asking some companies not to help them with support contracts. Hope this helps!

malvosenior 7y ago
As stated I choose the liberty of everyone to use free software regardless of intent. > By not choosing one, you're choosing the existing system It's become quite popular to say that being ok with the status quo is a political position. And while I couldn't disagree more, I've always believed in free software and I'll proudly stand by that status quo as my political position if that's how others want to view it.