7 ms·

It's always interesting to read RMS' posts, though I don't agree with a lot of them. In this case, he's got a very valid point (I disabled the adverts on my Ub

by EwanToo 14y ago

It's always interesting to read RMS' posts, though I don't agree with a lot of them. In this case, he's got a very valid point (I disabled the adverts on my Ubuntu install), but he uses such over the top language that it makes much of his writing seem like a parody. Ubuntu sending all desktop searches to Amazon by default (even if it's via a proxy) isn't cool, and isn't what most users would expect, but I don't believe screeds like this aren't going to make Canonical think again.

daniel-cussen 14y ago
He's not good at getting his point across, only at having good points.
- jeremiep 14y ago
  I believe its the other way around; the general public is not generally good at understanding the wisdom of his points.
  - rahoulb 14y ago
    As someone who nods my head in agreement to RMS most of the time (although I use proprietary software extensively), when I actually went to see him speak in person, I ended up feeling that he had weakened his case with the way he presented himself. However, this article is well-written and clear.
  - robinh 14y ago
    I don't really think that's how communication works.
- eternalban 14y ago
  Right, and for his good point to 'get across', it needs a connector of some sort. One end point of that connector is in your control. RMS has been /clearly/ right-on regarding these matters from day 1. It is the proverbial 'you' that is refusing to 'listen' ...
- rexreed 14y ago
  He definitely got the point across to me! I had been considering installing Ubuntu desktop, but this article definitely made me think twice. So, I'd say the article had its intended effect. That being said, reading the other comments here, it looks like there's more nuance in what is actually happening here. This is Ubuntu Desktop using the global search, which sends search queries to a central server. While I don't appreciate that either, at least it's not what I had thought from reading the headline that it was sending all local file searches to a server. So, it's a particular behavior, but still, Ubuntu should provide transparency as to what is happening, and even though the user can turn this feature off, (Stallman even states as such: "Ubuntu allows users to switch the surveillance off") the default on behavior is what I sense he is objecting to. Perhaps a suggestion for a more nuanced title (which might not have the same dramatic effect, but would be more accurate): "Ubuntu Desktop Global Search sends Queries to Central Server, and shares with Amazon, by Default!"
  - debacle 14y ago
    There is no local search. There only global search, but historically the global search was only for local files.
    - takluyver 14y ago
      There is local search - either by turning off remote results, or using the files/application lenses (Super+F/A). But the default search box does a global search.
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
jessaustin 14y ago
What was "over the top" about the linked piece? It's got to be the most even-tempered thing I've ever read from RMS. Did you actually read TFA before posting this comment?
- EwanToo 14y ago
  I'm not going to go line by line, but you could start with this: Proprietary software is associated with malicious treatment of the user I don't believe 99% of people out there associate proprietary software with malicious treatment.
  - josephlord 14y ago
    He didn't assert anything about peoples associations. He asserted that that there is an association between proprietary software and malicious treatment of the user. Now knowing a little about what RMS regards as malicious that is undoubtedly true in terms of the lack of freedoms. Even on a narrower definition of malicious if it includes user tracking/monitoring then large amounts of proprietary software can be regarded as malicious. I would narrow my definition of malicious a little more personally but there are large amounts of fairly malicious software out there, very little of it Free software. You might need to pick another line to take apart.
    - vacri 14y ago
      'tracking people' is not inherently malicious. Countless parents expect teachers to track their kids. "Where is my child?" => "I'm sorry ma'am, we had a day trip, but in the interests of your child's freedoms, I was forbidden from tracking her."
      - josephlord 14y ago
        And I said that I would narrow my definition of malicious a little more so I basically agree although I should have mentioned informed consent and whether it is opt in or out.
  - 14y ago
shardling 14y ago
That was so absolutely not over the top I feel you're doing anyone who hasn't read the post yet a disservice.
monochromatic 14y ago
> he uses such over the top language that it makes much of his writing seem like a parody Seriously. I read the first paragraph or two and was thinking "who the fuck wrote this, RMS? Oh... yeah, I guess so."
aidenn0 14y ago
Yup, RMS considers Debian to be not-free enough because they don't make it hard enough to install proprietary software on their system.

by EwanToo 14y ago

daniel-cussen 14y ago

He's not good at getting his point across, only at having good points.

jeremiep 14y ago
I believe its the other way around; the general public is not generally good at understanding the wisdom of his points.
- rahoulb 14y ago
  As someone who nods my head in agreement to RMS most of the time (although I use proprietary software extensively), when I actually went to see him speak in person, I ended up feeling that he had weakened his case with the way he presented himself. However, this article is well-written and clear.
- robinh 14y ago
  I don't really think that's how communication works.
eternalban 14y ago
Right, and for his good point to 'get across', it needs a connector of some sort. One end point of that connector is in your control. RMS has been /clearly/ right-on regarding these matters from day 1. It is the proverbial 'you' that is refusing to 'listen' ...
rexreed 14y ago
He definitely got the point across to me! I had been considering installing Ubuntu desktop, but this article definitely made me think twice. So, I'd say the article had its intended effect. That being said, reading the other comments here, it looks like there's more nuance in what is actually happening here. This is Ubuntu Desktop using the global search, which sends search queries to a central server. While I don't appreciate that either, at least it's not what I had thought from reading the headline that it was sending all local file searches to a server. So, it's a particular behavior, but still, Ubuntu should provide transparency as to what is happening, and even though the user can turn this feature off, (Stallman even states as such: "Ubuntu allows users to switch the surveillance off") the default on behavior is what I sense he is objecting to. Perhaps a suggestion for a more nuanced title (which might not have the same dramatic effect, but would be more accurate): "Ubuntu Desktop Global Search sends Queries to Central Server, and shares with Amazon, by Default!"
- debacle 14y ago
  There is no local search. There only global search, but historically the global search was only for local files.
  - takluyver 14y ago
    There is local search - either by turning off remote results, or using the files/application lenses (Super+F/A). But the default search box does a global search.

deleted 14y ago

[deleted]

jessaustin 14y ago

What was "over the top" about the linked piece? It's got to be the most even-tempered thing I've ever read from RMS. Did you actually read TFA before posting this comment?

EwanToo 14y ago
I'm not going to go line by line, but you could start with this: Proprietary software is associated with malicious treatment of the user I don't believe 99% of people out there associate proprietary software with malicious treatment.
- josephlord 14y ago
  He didn't assert anything about peoples associations. He asserted that that there is an association between proprietary software and malicious treatment of the user. Now knowing a little about what RMS regards as malicious that is undoubtedly true in terms of the lack of freedoms. Even on a narrower definition of malicious if it includes user tracking/monitoring then large amounts of proprietary software can be regarded as malicious. I would narrow my definition of malicious a little more personally but there are large amounts of fairly malicious software out there, very little of it Free software. You might need to pick another line to take apart.
  - vacri 14y ago
    'tracking people' is not inherently malicious. Countless parents expect teachers to track their kids. "Where is my child?" => "I'm sorry ma'am, we had a day trip, but in the interests of your child's freedoms, I was forbidden from tracking her."
    - josephlord 14y ago
      And I said that I would narrow my definition of malicious a little more so I basically agree although I should have mentioned informed consent and whether it is opt in or out.
- 14y ago

shardling 14y ago

That was so absolutely not over the top I feel you're doing anyone who hasn't read the post yet a disservice.

monochromatic 14y ago

> he uses such over the top language that it makes much of his writing seem like a parody Seriously. I read the first paragraph or two and was thinking "who the fuck wrote this, RMS? Oh... yeah, I guess so."

aidenn0 14y ago

Yup, RMS considers Debian to be not-free enough because they don't make it hard enough to install proprietary software on their system.