Richard Stallman Calls Ubuntu "Spyware"

[Larian]

Your bullshit absolutely reeks.

I know this is not my fight, but I had to jump in here because this really isn't an argument. You see, I like watching the show this has stirred up, and I see an opportunity for a much better (and therefore much more interesting and amusing) rejoinder than "this smell like poop." You can deconstruct an argument better than that.

Now god damn it, get in there and entertain me!

[Cthulhux]

Basically you should choose your software by what it does for you, not for its license.

[asdx]

Basically you should choose your software by what it does for you, not for its license.

No, you should use Free Software and adapt it for your own needs.

[Cthulhux]

If proprietary software does its job better than any available free alternative, this is wrong. "Of course this application makes me work less efficient but it's FREEEEEE". Yawn.

[ChrisXY]

If proprietary software does its job better than any available free alternative, this is wrong. "Of course this application makes me work less efficient but it's FREEEEEE". Yawn.

"The point is that in some cases there is Free Software you can use to do those things. In some cases maybe there's not, and when there isn't, that means, at least temporarily, to live in freedom requires a certain sacrifice. Fortunately not a big sacrifice.

There are times when freedom has required people to sacrifice their lives, but here we can win freedom with nothing more than an inconvenience." - Richard Stallman

[Cthulhux]

My computer is a tool, not an end in itself.

I could use a screwdriver to hammer a nail into the wall with just a small inconvenience. But why should I?

[asdx]

My computer is a tool, not an end in itself.

I could use a screwdriver to hammer a nail into the wall with just a small inconvenience. But why should I?

But do you control that 'tool' with proprietary software? I don't think so. The tool controls you.

At least with Free Software you have the source and you can adapt it for your own needs, and you can have full control of the tool and know exactly what it's doing, etc.

[Cthulhux]

I know what a proprietary tool is doing too, I just can't see how (let's assume we don't take RegMon/FileMon into consideration).
And I really don't care as long as it helps me to finish work.

[asdx]

I know what a proprietary tool is doing too, I just can't see how (let's assume we don't take RegMon/FileMon into consideration).
And I really don't care as long as it helps me to finish work.

That's a bit short-sighted.

What if one day the proprietary software you use to get work done goes away. What do you do?

At least with Free Software I have the peace of mind that I have the code. Therefore I (and other people) control it, and I don't have to worry about such things.

Personally, I wouldn't want to depend on proprietary software, even more if my living/work/income depended on it. No way in hell I would take such risk.

[Cthulhux]

And what if one day the proprietary software you use to get work done goes away. What do you do?

Software does not go away. It may be discontinued though. So is free software occasionally.
Do you take over development of all free software you use which is discontinued? Well, fine for you, but I wouldn't even have the time for that.

Either I'd stick with the last version or I'll look for an alternative. No matter if the particular software is free or not. Sorry, but if I need a new hammer, I'll buy one instead of building one myself. Again: For me, a tool is primarily a tool and nothing else.

At least with Free Software I have the peace of mind that I have the code. Therefore I (and other people) control it, and I don't have to worry about such things.

Congratulations. I don't need it.

Personally, I wouldn't want to depend on proprietary software, even more if my living/work/income depended on it. No way in hell I would take such risk.

... with the risk being that you might need to search for an alternative one day? Alright.