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Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

richard.stallman.usesthis.com

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Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#181

Post by jeffreyg »

rbanffy wrote: post #172
jeffreyg wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If people were to pick one reason HN has 'gone downhill', disrespectful comment replies would top the list. A controversial feature request- when a new account reaches a negative karma level within a certain period, HN will display all other usernames associated with the IP address of the throwaway.

I'd suggest something different. Reduce the value of throwaway logins by making it impossible to comment for, say, 40 days. We can then modulate the quarantine period according to the level of hostility present on the site. Of coursesmart, flagging and hellbanning remains as usual.

Yeah. My idea isn't great, just a frustrated response to this person who claims to have been here for a long time yet still feels it's appropriate to make offensive posts about others here.

I like the idea of an incubation period, but I've seen valuable comments posted from new accounts- I bet a ton of people lurk for months before seeing a thread they feel they can make a valuable contribution to.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#183

Post by logain20O6 »

rbanffy wrote: post #172
jeffreyg wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If people were to pick one reason HN has 'gone downhill', disrespectful comment replies would top the list. A controversial feature request- when a new account reaches a negative karma level within a certain period, HN will display all other usernames associated with the IP address of the throwaway.

I'd suggest something different. Reduce the value of throwaway logins by making it impossible to comment for, say, 40 days. We can then modulate the quarantine period according to the level of hostility present on the site. Of coursesmart, flagging and hellbanning remains as usual.

It is a technological arms race. You'll never be able to prevent throwaway logins.

E.g. the iPhone is probably the world's most locked up device, yet it gets jailbroken after every major update.

In the end, you'll end up with the HN equivalent of the DRM measures some media companies use...

PS - @jeffreyg: Free speech. I am guaranteed the right to be as offensive as I'd like. If you dislike that, I suggest you move to the North Korean HN.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#184

Post by jgesture »

logain2006 wrote: post #156
spenrose wrote: post #129

Stallman reminds me more of Steve Jobs than anyone else does: - 70's wunderkind - simple, clear belief about what computing should be - realized his vision, creating permanent improvement enjoyed directly or indirectly by every computer user - uncompromising in his determination to control his environment Personally I believe he has some major blind spots -- so did Jobs. The failure of this community to hold him in c…

Wow. I think that's the stupidest thing I've heard in a while. Yes, Steve Jobs, the guy who wants absolute control over every single device that he sells you FOR MONEY - on both software AND hardware level is JUST LIKE Stallaman. I have to say, the quality of HN has gone so downhill recently, I might have to seek an alternative community.

It appears that you have committed the fallacy of composition here. The claim that Jobs and Stallaman have some similar characteristics is not the same as saying that they are the same.

For example, you can objectively say that Hitler was an influential head of state (e.g. starting WW II) and FDR was an influential head of state. These are both true statements, while at the same time, these were two very different men.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#185

Post by rbanffy »

logain20O6 wrote: post #183
rbanffy wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd suggest something different. Reduce the value of throwaway logins by making it impossible to comment for, say, 40 days. We can then modulate the quarantine period according to the level of hostility present on the site. Of coursesmart, flagging and hellbanning remains as usual.

It is a technological arms race. You'll never be able to prevent throwaway logins. E.g. the iPhone is probably the world's most locked up device, yet it gets jailbroken after every major update. In the end, you'll end up with the HN equivalent of the DRM measures some media companies use... PS - @jeffreyg: Free speech. I am guaranteed the right to be as offensive as I'd like. If you dislike that, I suggest you move t…

We don't have (or, really, want) to prevent the use of quasi-anonymous logins. All we need is to make life more miserable to trolls than they make it for everyone else. With enough frustration, trolls will gravitate towards places where they can sublimate their frustrations more easily and, hopefully, leave HN for those who really want to engage in civil conversation.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#186

Post by logain20O6 »

rbanffy wrote: post #185
logain20O6 wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is a technological arms race. You'll never be able to prevent throwaway logins. E.g. the iPhone is probably the world's most locked up device, yet it gets jailbroken after every major update. In the end, you'll end up with the HN equivalent of the DRM measures some media companies use... PS - @jeffreyg: Free speech. I am guaranteed the right to be as offensive as I'd like. If you dislike that, I suggest you move t…

We don't have (or, really, want) to prevent the use of quasi-anonymous logins. All we need is to make life more miserable to trolls than they make it for everyone else. With enough frustration, trolls will gravitate towards places where they can sublimate their frustrations more easily and, hopefully, leave HN for those who really want to engage in civil conversation.

I suppose that would work for some trolls. Then again, trolls here tend to have advanced degrees in Computer Science, so might be more difficult to keep them out.

PS - No, I'm not alleging that I have an advanced degree in CS. Nor am I denying it.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#187

Post by rbanffy »

angrycoder wrote: post #176
logain2006 wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. I think that's the stupidest thing I've heard in a while. Yes, Steve Jobs, the guy who wants absolute control over every single device that he sells you FOR MONEY - on both software AND hardware level is JUST LIKE Stallaman. I have to say, the quality of HN has gone so downhill recently, I might have to seek an alternative community.

I wouldn't call it stupid, so much as superficial. Those qualities, apart from the temporal connection, could be applied to most people who have achieved any notable stature.

He has that same drive, the unwillingness to compromise, Steve Jobs had. I don't find the comparison inadequate at all - not all people with notable stature have that lack of pragmatism both Stallman and Jobs present.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#188

Post by rbanffy »

rhizome wrote: post #128
julian37 wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does he have the same moral reservations for other devices in his life? Yes, as far as I know. ie; what car does he use and own? All (modern) cars accept software updates which is his definition of a computer. I am pretty sure he doesn't drive, but this is what he had to say on the topic: So, what about cars? Free cars would mean you are free to modify them and redistribute copies. Well, as for the modification, you…

In fact, to equate cars and computers in this manner is to commit a Category Error. They simply don't share very many properties (save that they are both sold for money). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_mistake

Don't forget modern cars are computers with wheels. Every time you drive (or ride) one, you bet your life on the correctness of the software running its various vital components.

Buggy software can cause the Lithium batteries under your seat to overheat and, maybe, catch fire. Perhaps violently.

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#189

Post by rbanffy »

logain20O6 wrote: post #186
rbanffy wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We don't have (or, really, want) to prevent the use of quasi-anonymous logins. All we need is to make life more miserable to trolls than they make it for everyone else. With enough frustration, trolls will gravitate towards places where they can sublimate their frustrations more easily and, hopefully, leave HN for those who really want to engage in civil conversation.

I suppose that would work for some trolls. Then again, trolls here tend to have advanced degrees in Computer Science, so might be more difficult to keep them out. PS - No, I'm not alleging that I have an advanced degree in CS. Nor am I denying it.

What do you gain from being rude?

Re: Richard Stallman's Computer Setup

#190

Post by logain20O6 »

rbanffy wrote: post #187
angrycoder wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't call it stupid, so much as superficial. Those qualities, apart from the temporal connection, could be applied to most people who have achieved any notable stature.

He has that same drive, the unwillingness to compromise, Steve Jobs had. I don't find the comparison inadequate at all - not all people with notable stature have that lack of pragmatism both Stallman and Jobs present.

OK. So let me spell it out for you (and others, who appear to be confused):

   Obama is a charismatic leader.
   Hitler was a charismatic leader.
   Obama was elected democratically.
   Hitler was elected democratically.
   Obama wrote a biography. Barack Obama - Dreams from my father
   Hitler wrote a biography; Mein Kampf
   Obama held a rally in Berlin.
   Hitler held a rally in Berlin.
...etc.

Therefore, Obama reminds me more of Hitler than anyone else does. (approx. quote from poster above)

Now, do you see why this is an idiotic comparison?

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