Stallman raises some interesting points, but calling the Kindle a "Swindle" doesn't make for a very rational argument.
What he calls it really makes no difference to the actual argument. Only your perception of it.
Reasons not to buy from Amazon
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Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#12Amazon is charging sales tax in more and more states as they expand their services. They're currently collecting sales taxes in 24 states [0]. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=4...
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The laws are/were vague at best. It's arguable that it is now charging sales tax when it does not need to by law.
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#13Stallman raises some interesting points, but calling the Kindle a "Swindle" doesn't make for a very rational argument.
So, are you saying that Stallman makes points 1, 2, 3, ... n, and many are interesting, but point 37 is irrational?
Or are you saying that although many of the points are interesting, point 37 is irrational, therefore the entire thing--points 1 though n--is tainted?
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#14Stallman raises some interesting points, but calling the Kindle a "Swindle" doesn't make for a very rational argument.
Just being Stallman doesn't make for a rational argument.
Edit: In much the same way that closed source software denies freedom. What I mean to say, is he has a reputation that might make things like rational argument more difficult.
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#15 > "Amazon was a member of ALEC...."
> "Amazon quit ALEC after public pressure in May 2012, but I am sure it still supports the same nasty policies and is waiting for a new tool to achieve them."
Seriously? Come on.
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#16> "Amazon cut off service to Wikileaks, claiming that whistleblowing violates its terms of service. It had no need to go to court to prove this, because if you rent a server from Amazon, you have no rights."
I find it highly amusing that RMS doesn't seem to agree with Amazon's restrictive ToS agreement but his GNU software license is one of the most restrictive licenses out there. If I include a GNU licensed library I accidentally lose all my rights too. Funny that.
> "A study found that people who read novels on the Amazon Swindle remember less of the events."
Replace 'Swindle' with 'Kindle' then with any ebook reader ever. I doubt there is anything about the Kindle in particular, over other ereaders, that causes people to remember less. This is attacking Amazon with everything and hoping some of it sticks.
I'm trying not to defend Amazon but RMS's arguments are painfully bad at times.
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#17"A study found that people who read novels on the Amazon Swindle remember less of the events."
You only need to make a good point once. Adding additional lesser points just weakens it. A fair few dubious and ridiculous claims here, same sort of claims can be made about any multi-national. No smoking gun here.
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
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Not quite sure what your point is. I was referring to one of Stallman's points which was basically that they are "dodging taxes" in the US. They're not and are increasingly collecting sales taxes as they are opening facilities in more and more states as they expand their offerings, just as the law dictates.
Walmart's political action committee is vigorously campaigning for laws to enforce sales taxes on all online sales, seemingly as a direct result of Amazon. I would imagine if Amazon were doing anything overtly dodgy in that regard, Walmart would likely be fairly vocal about it.
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#19> "Amazon cut off service to Wikileaks, claiming that whistleblowing violates its terms of service. It had no need to go to court to prove this, because if you rent a server from Amazon, you have no rights." I find it highly amusing that RMS doesn't seem to agree with Amazon's restrictive ToS agreement but his GNU software license is one of the most restrictive licenses out there. If I include a GNU licensed library…
"GNU software license is one of the most restrictive licenses out there"
But those restrictions are in place to protect your freedom!
Re: Reasons not to buy from Amazon
#20Stallman raises some interesting points, but calling the Kindle a "Swindle" doesn't make for a very rational argument.
Classic RMS: going out of his way to alienate people who might've ended up allies if not for his godawful tone, and then pitching a hissy fit about how the public isn't following him.