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Stop right there. There is no slavery here. Nobody is forcing anyone to use a proprietary service or software product over a free alternative. Users now have

by cube13 15y ago

Stop right there. There is no slavery here. Nobody is forcing anyone to use a proprietary service or software product over a free alternative. Users now have more of a choice with FOSS alternatives than ever before. This is a(and I really hate this term) first world problem of the greatest order. "I can't use Facebook because it's proprietary and they're evil." So what? Just don't use Facebook. At this point(and RMS and the FSF have been a major contributors to this, for which they should be thanked), users have a choice in the software that they use. They have the freedom to choose what they want, whether it's proprietary software, OSS, or FOSS. Slavery doesn't come into this. You believe that a product or service doesn't respect your freedom? Don't use it, or use an alternative that gives you what you want. That is the choice that Stallman has helped bring about.

slowpoke 15y ago
> This is a(and I really hate this term) first world problem of the greatest order. "I can't use Facebook because it's proprietary and they're evil." So what? Just don't use Facebook. You're forgetting another first world problem that many people have: peer pressure. "What, you're not on Facebook? Lol, looser." Besides, with bullshit like the Facebook Login coming up, it's not unreasonable to assume that you WILL be forced to use Facebook for many things on the web. While I personally don't care and can put up with the peer pressure, other people can't. And people ARE being forced to use proprietary software. At home, at work, everywhere, and if it's only because they don't know any better, or have been locked in by proprietary formats. You don't always have a choice. Furthermore, it's not just about having a choice. It's about breaking the dominance, and eventually getting rid of proprietary software altogether. The only rational choice for any human being who's interested in progress and long-term sustainability is Free Software. Proprietary software is opposed to both of these concepts.
- eropple 15y ago
  peer pressure. "What, you're not on Facebook? Lol, looser." Weird worldviews will result in you be treated weirdly. Deal. And people ARE being forced to use proprietary software. At home, Change. If it's that important to you, you will. at work, Quit. If it's that important to you, you will. if it's only because they don't know any better Then they don't care, and it's unimportant. You don't always have a choice. Yup. Life kinda sucks, huh? Wear a helmet. Furthermore, it's not just about having a choice. It's about breaking the dominance, and eventually getting rid of proprietary software altogether. The only rational choice for any human being who's interested in progress and long-term sustainability is Free Software. Proprietary software is opposed to both of these concepts. This does not follow from...er...reality. Terribly sorry. I write proprietary software (TEH HORRARS!). I am also interested in technological progress. The two are in no way opposed, unless as your postulate you take the really cretinous stance they they are--and once you do, well, sure, it's obvious. But that postulate is wrong and cretinous, so...

by cube13 15y ago

slowpoke 15y ago

> This is a(and I really hate this term) first world problem of the greatest order. "I can't use Facebook because it's proprietary and they're evil." So what? Just don't use Facebook. You're forgetting another first world problem that many people have: peer pressure. "What, you're not on Facebook? Lol, looser." Besides, with bullshit like the Facebook Login coming up, it's not unreasonable to assume that you WILL be forced to use Facebook for many things on the web. While I personally don't care and can put up with the peer pressure, other people can't. And people ARE being forced to use proprietary software. At home, at work, everywhere, and if it's only because they don't know any better, or have been locked in by proprietary formats. You don't always have a choice. Furthermore, it's not just about having a choice. It's about breaking the dominance, and eventually getting rid of proprietary software altogether. The only rational choice for any human being who's interested in progress and long-term sustainability is Free Software. Proprietary software is opposed to both of these concepts.

eropple 15y ago
peer pressure. "What, you're not on Facebook? Lol, looser." Weird worldviews will result in you be treated weirdly. Deal. And people ARE being forced to use proprietary software. At home, Change. If it's that important to you, you will. at work, Quit. If it's that important to you, you will. if it's only because they don't know any better Then they don't care, and it's unimportant. You don't always have a choice. Yup. Life kinda sucks, huh? Wear a helmet. Furthermore, it's not just about having a choice. It's about breaking the dominance, and eventually getting rid of proprietary software altogether. The only rational choice for any human being who's interested in progress and long-term sustainability is Free Software. Proprietary software is opposed to both of these concepts. This does not follow from...er...reality. Terribly sorry. I write proprietary software (TEH HORRARS!). I am also interested in technological progress. The two are in no way opposed, unless as your postulate you take the really cretinous stance they they are--and once you do, well, sure, it's obvious. But that postulate is wrong and cretinous, so...