"When Richard Stallman learned that a compiler architect from ATI would be speaking at MIT, he immediately started organizing a protest against ATI's damaging free software policies. It all started, like most good protests, with a trip to Kinko's printing to make a sign. The request came from Richard Stallman for a 3'x2' sign, mounted and able to be carried with one hand easily. Several frustrating minutes with Inkscape, two trips to the store and one foam-core backing later, we had our sign, and it stated our message clearly in black letters on white background."
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Member since:2006-04-27
"afraid ATI would retreat from funding the faculty"
Isn't capatilism great 
This is what America is all about no? I guess you live by the sword you die by the sword.
I think RMS just cannot handle CHOICE. He just cannot decide to move on to either a different brand or roll his own.
Edited 2006-04-30 17:04
Member since:2005-06-29
"I think RMS just cannot handle CHOICE. He just cannot decide to move on to either a different brand or roll his own."
Somehow you, and several other people here, got the idea that his attempts to peacefully inform people were really some kind of personal vendetta. Lucky for you folks I'm here to offer a clue to those who desperately need it.
This wasn't some youth rebellion where people chain themselves to a doorway, holler at the top of their lungs and then get hauled off with pepper spray in their eyes. This was a perfectly legal, passive and innofensive campaign to inform people about the harmful effects of ATI's policy on open source software and the consumers. Some of the things RMS does are so unusual compared to our modern society of sheep that I can't help but laugh, but he's also very commendable because he's telling people like you and me when our best interests, rights, and freedoms are at risk.
Member since:
2005-07-07
What really disturbs me is how the whole "incident" was handled. What disturbs me even more is that this reaction seems to be the norm rather than the exception.
Maybe having the right of free speech protected by the constitution makes people feel that this is enough and actually letting others use that right is not necessary.
Or maybe they are just in for the money and were afraid ATI would retreat from funding the faculty and/or its projects.