Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing • Hacker News Board

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#161

Post by orblivion » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:28 PM UTC

billpatrianakos wrote: post #32

mrtron wrote: post #21

I think it is really tough for younger people to realize that technology can be seen as a highly dangerous in different forms. Instead of trashing his principles, perhaps try to see the motivation behind them. I respect anyone who establishes their own code and adheres firmly to it. RMS meets this criteria. He is also very open and honest about his views which I find refreshing. I also think that this type of boycott…

That's the thing. You said it. Not many will see his motivations unless he spells it out and the man is an awful communicator in that he can't go two words without putting someone off. Unfortunately he's a bit of an extremist. At least that's how he presents himself. So I doubt younger folks will get where he's coming from. I'm 25 and I've read about Stallmam for only the past five years and I can tell you that what…

I think that's totally fine. He doesn't have to influence everybody. He just has to influence enough moderate people to in turn influence the rest of us. I argue this happened with the "Open Source" movement he hates so much. I think he's got to hold the goal post, to define the ideal, so we know what to aim for at least.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#162

Post by bbsabelli » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:29 PM UTC

RMS should be proud because open source has already won. His focus should not be on software freedom, it should be on data freedom.

So, where is the "Free Data Foundation"?

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#163

Post by fumar » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:32 PM UTC

bootload wrote: post #56

bobsil1 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He sounds like a religious fundamentalist, or an Amish farmer. What a limiting worldview.

"... He sounds like a religious fundamentalist, or an 'Amish farmer'..." I quite like the Amish Farmer [0] analogy to technology. Select the good bits of technology, ignore the ones that are "better left alone" . [0] Jamie Sharp, "The Amish: Technology Practice and Technological Change" ~ http://www.shawcreekgeneralstore.com/amish_article1.htm

"Lessons of Amish Hackers" a chapter in What Technology Wants by David Kelly.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#164

Post by maxerickson » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:41 PM UTC

billpatrianakos wrote: post #65

mrtron wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He is an extremist and puts many people off with what he says. That is the point. He doesn't need to change his approach or principles. His actions are still in line with what he says.

Well you're kind of making my argument. There's a misunderstanding. I'm talking about young people. Stallman doesn't need to change his approach or principles but what I'm saying is that I have a feeling that one day all the people like you who "get" it will die and very few if any of today's young people will be on board with his views. They'll probably think Stallman was the father of Open Source and not be able to…

It seems likely to me that many of the possible more moderate versions of Stallman would end up advocating "Open Source where it makes sense".

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#165

Post by jiggy2011 » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:42 PM UTC

ameen wrote: post #157

msg wrote: post #71

Stallman's critique of software, hardware, and services as tools of social control has only become more relevant over the years. Can you imagine his search records being rifled through by a government investigator? Or his Facebook profile being examined by an employer? No, because they don't exist. Nor can you imagine his computer being locked by a bootloader that only allows "Genuine Windows". He's not concerned abo…

While I certainly agree with RMS's reasons for being so committed to his philosophy, I just don't know if it would still be possible to practice in today's world. Almost every system out there, free software or otherwise is monetized one way or another, either you pay for the software, or you are the product being sold.

Not necessarily true. While plenty of free software is funded (I don't think Stallman has particular issue with that). I'm not sure how me using the Linux Kernel, GNU System, Gnome , GIMP , Emacs or any of the other free software tools I use makes me somehow a "product".

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#166

Post by jiggy2011 » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:45 PM UTC

ricardobeat wrote: post #143

slowpoke wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Electricity is a service, and you're free to use electricity however you want. Nobody can (physically) stop you from using electricity in a way that is not "approved" by the provider of your electricity. Granted, there are other issues with the generation of electricity, such as the issues with nuclear power, and the environmental effects of coal etc. However, electricity itself is Free (as in speech). Also, you can'…

Just like electricity is completely free. Right? I think I get it.

It means free as in speech not beer.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#167

Post by jussij » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 12:53 PM UTC

m0nastic wrote: post #63

homosaur wrote: post #42

The one thing I get kind of annoyed with Stallman at is that he keeps mentioning this Leemote machine he has, which runs free software even in the BIOS. He might as well say that he runs Linux on a magical unicorn. I have tried and never been able to get my hands on one of these things. I'd really like to see Stallman jump off his insistence on free for one second and maybe suggest something realistic for users who c…

Freedom Included is a company that got set up in Cambridge specifically to sell the Lemote. They ship internationally apparently through a partner (can't vouch for it). The folks who run the site seemed like decent enough people, so I think it's on the up-and-up. (I haven't bought one though) If you actually want one of these things, it looks like about $450: http://freedomincluded.com/

> If you actually want one of these things, it looks like about $450:

Why can't I get it for free?

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#168

Post by marcofloriano » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 1:13 PM UTC

The last true hacker ... is not very welcome at the hacker community, very weird.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#169

Post by olalonde » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 1:14 PM UTC

callumjones wrote: post #158

I find it odd that he choses to dump platforms that also support Windows. Manufacturers adding Windows support (realistically the other way around with Linux being supported after the fact) is about giving consumers choice in how their product runs. I feel this is somewhat core to the FSF movement, a choice for how your computer runs. Why should Stallman criticise a company for allowing someone to pick the OS that be…

> I feel this is somewhat core to the FSF movement, a choice for how your computer runs.

You are mistaken. RMS thinks its immoral to use or develop proprietary software regardless of anything else.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#170

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Apr 07, 2012, 1:20 PM UTC

demetris wrote: post #145

mixmastamyk wrote: post #105

Every time an rms article comes up trolls come out of the woodwork to rally about what a kook he is and all "the horrible things" he's done. "Why the nerve, living a life different than I would choose!? IT MUST BE STOPPED." Snooze. I've been reading this fear-mongering regularly since '97. Why is he so threatening? It's not like you have to share a studio apartment with the guy. Have any complainers contributed 1/10t…

“Why is he so threatening?” In my view, because he has influence based on credibility that he does not deserve any more, and because he exerts that influence in ways that do not benefit free software.

[deleted]