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I don't believe in it as moral imperative. It conflicts with my libertarian moral imperatives (right to create a contract that stipulates what people can do wit
by orblivion 5y ago
I don't believe in it as moral imperative. It conflicts with my libertarian moral imperatives (right to create a contract that stipulates what people can do with what they otherwise own). However I do otherwise believe in it as a value, in the same sense that owning a house rather than renting is a value. You're more self-sufficient, and there's more dignity in not having people be able to pull strings on you. Free Software means fully owning your devices without strings attached by others. Again strings attached isn't immoral but it has downsides.
The community aspect is pretty cool too.
So, I use some proprietary software, but I keep it in a safe box (separate device or VM), and treat it the same way I treat external services, more or less. (I wonder if Stallman could be convinced of this). By default I try to make everything FOSS.
- orblivion 5y agoActually I'll extrapolate a little: The strings attached can turn into something similar to political control, or sometimes actual political control. This is admittedly a leftist (or modern right-populist) sentiment, but it's evolved from my basic libertarian notions. Large companies can have their arms twisted by the government, or they can have their own ideological missions. Free Software, maybe self-hosted services in particular, give us an escape hatch at least.