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Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

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21–30 of 44 posts

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#21
I always find this sort of argument in the name of freedom interesting and perhaps a bit disingenuous. The GNU activists (for lack of a better generalization) actually do not argue for more freedom of choice, but rather only for who should have that freedom: whether freedom of choice rightfully belongs to the developer or the user, the producer or the consumer. By arguing chiefly for "greater freedom" they avoid the issue of why they consider the producer of a product as deserving a lesser moral latitude than a consumer of the product; their appeal becomes not a rational appeal for why, on moral grounds, a developer should be less free and instead make an emotional appeal to the users that they are entitled to the product as a moral imperative. It seems to me, the GNU activist is not making an argument about freedom whatever, but is essentially arguing for an application of altruism to the world of software development.

I think the author of the article makes that alternative intent of the movement clear in that they are uncomfortable with the freedom actually offered by GNU licenses. If even as a user of GNU software you somehow can perceived as helping a non-Libre developer (no matter how indirectly) you are condemnable morally by the reckoning of the author. I find this consistent with my assertion that the argument is not one of greater freedom, but philosophically an altruistic one.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#22
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Freeloading seems to be ok for you, but if the free software comes with any kind of sentiment or vision, you call the authors bigots? Thanks. Noted.

There are many great visions! But next to enabeling, productive visions there are also visions that end up making things worse. I can understand that assessments differ, but I can see that this author clearly and explicitly envisions to force others into his preferred systems by encouraging to crippel their enviroment to make their everyday life worse. This is not exactly the kind of vision I would like to support. I…

I don't care if you support a particular vision. Calling people bigots, however, is a different thing.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Freeloading seems to be ok for you, but if the free software comes with any kind of sentiment or vision, you call the authors bigots? Thanks. Noted.

In my definition of freedom no visionary should tell me what can I do or can't. Actually I don't consider GPL and derivatives free licenses.

That's great for you and all. And should you ever publish open source software, slap on any license you wish.

Calling other people bigots because you don't think their idea of free is free enough, however, is very bad taste.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#24
post #17
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, the author doesn't try to limit anyone's freedom, he only asks people to understand him and to work against proprietary platforms, not prohibits them to do anything.

He doesn't prohibit them because he can't. He directly says as much in the second line of his piece. IF he could limit you, he would. He then goes on to say that he won't permit his software to be compatible with other platforms like Visual Studio, _even at the cost of performance_. If that's not cutting your nose off to spite your face, it's still definitely a direct attempt to limit your freedom.

No, he doesn't say that if he could he would limit you and that he won't permit his software to be compatible.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#25
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are many great visions! But next to enabeling, productive visions there are also visions that end up making things worse. I can understand that assessments differ, but I can see that this author clearly and explicitly envisions to force others into his preferred systems by encouraging to crippel their enviroment to make their everyday life worse. This is not exactly the kind of vision I would like to support. I…

I don't care if you support a particular vision. Calling people bigots, however, is a different thing.

I thought that is just the dismissive term for people that are believed to be destructivly committed to a specific idea.

You are right in implying that it is rude. What would be the socially acceptable term for this phenomenon?

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my definition of freedom no visionary should tell me what can I do or can't. Actually I don't consider GPL and derivatives free licenses.

That's great for you and all. And should you ever publish open source software, slap on any license you wish. Calling other people bigots because you don't think their idea of free is free enough, however, is very bad taste.

A gentleman does not argue about taste.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#27
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't care if you support a particular vision. Calling people bigots, however, is a different thing.

I thought that is just the dismissive term for people that are believed to be destructivly committed to a specific idea. You are right in implying that it is rude. What would be the socially acceptable term for this phenomenon?

In your mind, are there bad visions and good visions? And you, of course, can tell the difference. You can of course see the destructive ones for what they are! And these bad ideas must be fought and purged before they cause damage. Is that it?

BTW, the author never expressed the wish to force anyone. It was a request.

It's not just the rude term that irks me here. I'm often getting a very fanatic vibe from people who viciously call out sentiments like the author's.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#28

Sun? This must be 10 years old at least... (Or the author has not stepped out from the basement where he/she lives in the last decade) Also after having checked his/her works I'm not sure why would anyone want to use them (on windows or otherwise). For most of them there are other alternatives with less bigot authors for whom, if needed, one might even send contribution. Bigots like Stallman or this author do the mos…

Freeloading seems to be ok for you, but if the free software comes with any kind of sentiment or vision, you call the authors bigots? Thanks. Noted.

I totally don't get what freeloading has to do with this. Could you please explain?

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's great for you and all. And should you ever publish open source software, slap on any license you wish. Calling other people bigots because you don't think their idea of free is free enough, however, is very bad taste.

A gentleman does not argue about taste.

I beg to differ. Especially if anyone's public actions or expressions are of bad taste, it ought to be a matter of discussion.

Matters of preference (another meaning of "taste"), however, are hard to argue about.

Re: Please do not port software to Windows (2001)

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A gentleman does not argue about taste.

I beg to differ. Especially if anyone's public actions or expressions are of bad taste, it ought to be a matter of discussion. Matters of preference (another meaning of "taste"), however, are hard to argue about.

> I beg to differ. Especially if anyone's public actions or expressions are of bad taste, it ought to be a matter of discussion.

I agree. that is why we are discussing why calling people who use windows ignorant supporters of evil is a form of bigotry.

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