"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."
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Member since:2006-12-07
A fiasco? How do you know?
I've read a NewsForge article. They are supposed to be pro-FSF, aren't they.
I do not yet agree with you about any incorrect assumption.
You don't have to. You have asked a question, and that was the answer. No one said that you have to like it.
I will believe it is wrong only when it is shown to me what you claim the values are
You don't have to believe anything. My values are not your problem. The point is that almost everyone uses computer theese days, and almost nobody care about FSF, so called "GNU/Freedom", distinction between proprietary and not proprietary software, in fact about software itself. Software is just a tool and people use it to achieve their goals. Software itself is not a goal. Software is like a toothbrush.
For example, I develop software for living (mostly Java). I am my own boss, a freelancer, one man band. The most of my code is proprietary, and I don't feel inferior in any way to some GNU coder. Quite the opposite, in fact.
If I buy a new laptop in February, chances Vista is forced upon me
I don't know where you live, but I had the option to buy laptop with XP Home or laptop with FreeDOS. They had similar hardware characteristics, but the one with XP was cheaper. Not much, but cheaper. I bought it and removed XP the same evening. My desktop PC was bought without OS.
I know what is your problem. You don't care about the price, you just don't want your money to go to Microsoft. Well, suit yourself, but don't expect me to follow your example. You, Stallman, Perens, Kuhn, and others are not my heroes.
DG
Member since:2006-08-26
"I know what is your problem. You don't care about the price, you just don't want your money to go to Microsoft. Well, suit yourself, but don't expect me to follow your example. You, Stallman, Perens, Kuhn, and others are not my heroes.
No, I don't want to help unethical behavior. Our positions may not be as far apart as you might think. Consider the short, easy read:
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/pragmatic.html
Member since:
2006-08-26
"1. The success of the free software movement and of campaigns against Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)
Anti-DRM campaign was not a success. It was a fiasco. No one cared to listen. Some activists even had troubles with police."
A fiasco? How do you know? I know it created a bit of media attention, which probably was a big part of the intent, and therefore made it a success, especially compared to doing nothing.
"The site author(s) assume that specific GNU/FSF values are universal, while they are not."
Assuming something wrong is not BS, that is, not fake. A wrong assumption is just a mistake. However, I will believe it is wrong only when it is shown to me what you claim the values are, so I do not yet agree with you about any incorrect assumption.
"The bottom line is that the site reflects the opinion of the minority, and still pretends as if it speaks for the majority. "
Nonsense. The site invites people to consider what it has to say. For those who want to know more, it suggests further actions. Others are free to ignore it. Do you not realize how many websites fit this model?
"3. Windows Vista might not be the best piece of software, but so what. Microsoft did the best they could during five years. No one is forced to use it, because there is an alternative for everything. I know that because I use Microsoft software only in rre occasions."
How do you know they did the best they could? I think few informed people believe that. If I buy a new laptop in February, chances Vista is forced upon me. There are many complaints about lack of choice due to OEM preloading, so I have trouble believing you.
You have not shown any fakeness or BS yet. In any case, the FSF always want people to question things. Perhaps those who never feel the need to ask questions ought to avoid the FSF.