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Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

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Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#271

Post by zach95 »

damian2000 wrote: post #268

I'd like to know his view on the rise of the app stores on smart phones (Android and iOS for example). Although companies like Apple have undoubtedly gotten rich on the backs of developers by taking their 30% cut, I would argue that the app store model is the best market for selling software from independent software developers that has ever existed.

Applying his principles, he wouldn't have a problem with the app store model, but he happens to have a problem with Apple's app store since they also restrict the freedoms of users: http://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#25_October_20...

Restricting the freedom of users is not necessarily part of an app store though.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#272

Post by pygy_ »

lispm wrote: post #221
pygy_ wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He advocates his views loudly, but he's not trying to impose anything to anyone. He's judgmental towards those who don't share them, though. Maybe that's what you mean when you say he's conformist? Technology is not all there is to oppression, for sure, but he's doing his part as a programmer to prevent it. The creation of the GNU movement, and subsequently of the FSF stems from a personal grief: the demise of the MI…

the 'demise of the MIT AI Lab'? WTF?

Yup, demise is too strong.

Not a native speaker. I thought it was a suitable synonym for "ruin" (Stallman's term).

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#273

Post by mixmastamyk »

hackermom wrote: post #235
mixmastamyk wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Instructive blog posts and advocacy talks don't constitute "pushing down my throat." A response to an idea often says more about the responder than it does the idea. (I replied a little more to local-variable below.)

Please explain to everyone how this, http://stallman.org/amazon.html , is just instructive (useful/informational). There's plenty more.

Was the page forced on you somehow? Do you have some specific criticism or even evidence of it being untrue? I can believe it has some basis in reality, there was an episode just last year where purchased orwell books were stolen off kindles.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#274

Post by ktizo »

ricardobeat wrote: post #244
ktizo wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A 330v outlet just requires a transformer and says nothing about the power drawn. As for making tesla coils in the garage, I suspect you might be surprised if you bothered to search this at all. Also, there are such things as generators and if you want to, you can build them from scrap.

If you ignore service contracts, fire and safety regulations, and every other aspect of reality, that is. I think I'm seeing a pattern here.

No, not at all.

There is no regulation to say you can't build yourself a tesla coil in your garage, and there is no law saying what voltages you are allowed to make from your supply.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#275

Post by ktizo »

ricardobeat wrote: post #262
burgerbrain wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly how much power to you think a tesla coil uses...? O.o Also, the primary reasons you cannot run (most kinds) of nuclear reactors in your garage have nothing to do with your power company (this said, if you do want to run your own powerplant and sell power back to the grid, you are more than free to do so... If you don't care about plugging yourself into the grid then you are even more free to do so). Similarly…

10kv is not something I'd consider safe in a household. That's throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I don't think this attitude is healthy around here - I'm not a native english speaker, and I know shit about electronics - the argument was completely ignored while I was hung out to dry because of a bad analogy.

Do yourself a favour and learn about electronics then before starting to debate what is possible in electronics with people who design and build electronics.

'getting started in electronics' by forrest mims is not a bad starting point.

10kv can be perfectly safe and is in the same ballpark as the static charges you get from nylon sweaters.

Also, funny you should mention nuclear reactors, there was a teenager on TED who built a fusion reactor in his garage who may be going to work at CERN.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#276

Post by hackermom »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #273
hackermom wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please explain to everyone how this, http://stallman.org/amazon.html , is just instructive (useful/informational). There's plenty more.

Was the page forced on you somehow? Do you have some specific criticism or even evidence of it being untrue? I can believe it has some basis in reality, there was an episode just last year where purchased orwell books were stolen off kindles.

Is Skype forced on me? Is Amazon forced on me? Is Facebook forced on me?

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#277

Post by damian2000 »

zach95 wrote: post #271
damian2000 wrote: post #268

I'd like to know his view on the rise of the app stores on smart phones (Android and iOS for example). Although companies like Apple have undoubtedly gotten rich on the backs of developers by taking their 30% cut, I would argue that the app store model is the best market for selling software from independent software developers that has ever existed.

Applying his principles, he wouldn't have a problem with the app store model, but he happens to have a problem with Apple's app store since they also restrict the freedoms of users: http://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#25_October_20... Restricting the freedom of users is not necessarily part of an app store though.

thanks for the link - although restricting the user to a choice of half a million apps is hardly restricting their freedom ... but I guess he probably means the restrictive review process that apple uses before letting an app onto the app store. But I wonder what the alternatives are though... Android marketplace is a fair bit more open in terms of letting apps on there, and they have had significantly more security issues as a result.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#278

Post by burgerbrain »

ricardobeat wrote: post #262
burgerbrain wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly how much power to you think a tesla coil uses...? O.o Also, the primary reasons you cannot run (most kinds) of nuclear reactors in your garage have nothing to do with your power company (this said, if you do want to run your own powerplant and sell power back to the grid, you are more than free to do so... If you don't care about plugging yourself into the grid then you are even more free to do so). Similarly…

10kv is not something I'd consider safe in a household. That's throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I don't think this attitude is healthy around here - I'm not a native english speaker, and I know shit about electronics - the argument was completely ignored while I was hung out to dry because of a bad analogy.

The flyback transformers in large CRT televisions generate several times more than 10kV.

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#279

Post by wazoox »

X-Istence wrote: post #208
wazoox wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have an (old) aspire one with about the same characteristics, but for the processor which is an Atom and the RAM which is 512MB. Limited memory is the only seriously annoying factor for web browsing, but I have no problem running vim or emacs on this machine... And you can connect it to a bigger screen. And it's really lightweight.

The biggest thing for me is the processor speed, and the ram. When I am linking our proprietary code base it can use up to 2.5 Gb of ram ...

YMMV. Anything running X-Window, a browser and vim is OK for me. I could develop on a 300 Mhz Ultra-5 (I have one :)

Re: Richard Stallman: How I do my Computing

#280

Post by astrodust »

alan_cx wrote: post #159
fleitz wrote: post #3

If you're reading hacker news it probably means you don't share the same rigid commitment to free software as rms and thus his recommendations are virtually useless. I wonder where rms stands on airtravel or using a crosswalk given the non-free software that operates these devices.

He simply does his best. That is all he, or any one can do to follow their ideals. If that is not good enough and one gives up the second there is a challenge or compromise involved, then there is no humanity left, and generally no point to life. Evolution and education would be dead.

Most of anyone's life is a series of compromises which, if we are lucky or disciplined, are carefully considered.
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