3 ms·
When I first saw the post by RMS, I tried to hold back my initial desire to simply post "He's an asshole". I tried to take the emotion away from it but found th
by loso 15y ago
When I first saw the post by RMS, I tried to hold back my initial desire to simply post "He's an asshole". I tried to take the emotion away from it but found that I couldn't. I couldn't find the right words so I posted nothing.
You posted my exact feelings in a more intelligent way than I ever could have.
RMS and people like him in the free software community is why I have never 100% committed to a free software way of doing things. I do a lot of development in Linux but I do just as much in Windows. Even though I contribute to the open source world in my own small way and see the importance of it, I find myself caring less and less about the philosophy behind it, At least when it comes to the zealots that are involved.
We all know that both Apple and Microsoft have pulled asshole moves before. But I can't help thinking that zealots like RMS would do the same thing if the FSF was in control.
- lhnn 15y agoReally, RMS being a dick keeps you from using, developing, and supporting free software? Your level of support is not that great, then.
- 5hoom 15y agoI didn't read anything about being kept from "using, developing, and supporting free software". I did read: "Even though I contribute to the open source world in my own small way and see the importance of it, I find myself caring less and less about the philosophy behind it". Please enlighten us, what level of support would you deem acceptable? Anything less than complete and exclusive acceptance of the goals of the FSF? I'm sure a middle road exists.
- loso 15y agoYou're right, my level of support now is not as great as it could be. When I was initially introduced to the idea, I loved it. I still do. This is why I am still involved. But I do not like the zealotry behind it. You can believe in an ideal without casting out everyone who does not fall in line 100%. I use and contribute to open source because I believe a lot of the best technology comes from it. I do not use it because I believe closed source is inherently evil. RMS is a dick and I can accept that. What bothers me is the pass that he gets when he is a dick and the percentage of others who are like him in the free software community.
- Aga 15y agoThe fundamental difference between the ones like Apple/Microsoft and RMS/FSF is that the latter don't seek to be in control in the way the former do. RMS/FSF actually oppose to the idea and instead seek to educate people for the peoples own benefit.
- loso 15y agoI don't see choice in the message when it comes to the FSF. I do in other open source communities but not when it comes to the FSF. I see "use our alternative" but I do not see choice. Choice would be to educate someone about the benefits of open source technology and then let them make the decision on what philosophy they would like to follow. Not, "your company choose to make your product closed source so you are now going down an evil path". I'm exaggerating a bit so I can illustrate my point. You can think that your philosophy is the right path without necessarily thinking that the other path is "evil".