Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 15th Dec 2006 21:12 UTC
"The FSF today launched a campaign with a twofold mission of exposing the harms inflicted on computer users by the new Microsoft Windows Vista and promoting free software alternatives that respect users' security and privacy rights. "Vista is an upsell masquerading as an upgrade. It is an overall regression when you look at the most important aspect of owning and using a computer: your control over what it does. Obviously MS Windows is already proprietary and very restrictive, and well worth rejecting. But the new 'features' in Vista are a Trojan Horse to smuggle in even more restrictions. We'll be focusing attention on detailing how they work, how to resist them, and why people should care", said FSF program administrator John Sullivan."
Permalink for comment 193183
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Recent Original Stories
Recent Comments
Headlines
Random Comments
Random Stories
Random OS Link
Member since:
2005-07-25
First of all, I look at an operating system as part of the machine, not an add-on. The computer without it is just a really big paperweight. Therefore, I would like the right to know what it is doing and how it is doing it. ALL operating systems should be open for public viewing. However, I also believe that code is ~a work of literature and should be protected from plagierism.
Programs, on the other hand,are tools to perform work or play, and can be proprietary if they want. As long as they aren't part of the operating system. I also reserve the right to add or remove them if I wish. Here is where Microsoft fails me. I don't like IE (6 or 7) and would like to remove it. I can't. I like WMP10, but WMP11 is a convoluted mess so I don't want it. In Vista, I can't remove it.
Mac OSX has a similar problem with it's operating system being closed, but I don't have to keep iTunes or Safari if I don't wish. I wish I could put OSX on a PC, but Apple doesn't have to allow it if they don't want, and I can understand their point of view on that. OSX is better and faster than WindowsXP in my experience, and the programs, although fewer to choose from, are simply much better. Love NeoOffice!
FOSS has a valid position, but so does Microsoft. If FOSS doesn't take the extreme left to counterbalance Microsoft's extreme right, any compromise would end up in Microsoft's favor. My wishes aren't worth much, so I can only exercise choice.
My choice was to move my Dell PC to Fedora Core (KDE is more responsive than Gnome on it), bought a Mac (used 20" G5 iMac running OSX Tiger $875), and keep the pair of HP laptops running WindowsXP until they die. I don't see Windows Vista in my future.