In the latest episode of LugRadio, Eric S. Raymond suggests that the Linux community need to start integrating more proprietary software in order to get market share. ESR points to proprietary multimedia codecs as an example of somewhere where Linux distributions should step away from free-software rhetoric in order to get more users, with the aim of bringing those users back to open source later on and to gain more influence with manufacturers and music/movie/media distributors to make Linux a properly supported platform.
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Member since:2005-07-10
You know, first off, it's rather funny that you would write so much about someone you proclaim not to care about.
Apart from that, it's rather sad that instead of attacking his argument you chose to attack ESR. You know, even if he is an a**hole, as you claim, that doesn't automatically invalidate his argument, now does it?
And unfortunately his argument strikes me as quite sensible, though I'm someone many people around here would probably label a free software zealot.
Member since:2005-11-14
And unfortunately his argument strikes me as quite sensible, though I'm someone many people around here would probably label a free software zealot
It's so sensible that distros already do it for years, and that when it's not done, is because the software providers don't want to deal with distros.
Member since:2006-04-21
Member since:
2005-07-08
That Linux distros should contain more proprietary software is an interesting subject that requires input from people who work on and sell distros, but "ESR" and Bruce Perens and anyone else who has a lot of opinion on something they have no material input on does not merit my click.
For years I have read the strange and unusual rantings of Eric Raymond and Bruce Perens. Time and time again, I ask the people who give them voice to explain to me why these people are important -- what their contributions have been. No one has been able to answer this question reasonably; all I hear are some mutterings about being the Debian project leader for a few weeks, or about Fetchmail or license regulation.
These people are nothing more than self-aggrandizing ego monkeys who use the press to maintain their false image of importance. They do not do research and publish benchmarks; they do not conduct interviews and write meaningful articles; they do not investigate claims or expose corruption and fraud; they do not write a significant body of code; they do not contribute money or bandwidth; they do not help anyone but themselves. They ensure nothing but their profitable future as consultants, author sponsors, paid speakers, and speech-givers.
I do not care what "ESR" thinks, says, or writes. His opinion does not hold any value simply because he uttered it. He is neither a business expert nor an expert on Linux distributions; he is merely a very loud man who uses big words to trick people into thinking that he is smarter than everyone else. Don't fall for his tricks, and don't give him the attention he craves.