RMS (again)

Todd Hought plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
Fri, 3 May 2002 20:12:35 -0700 (MST)


On Fri, 3 May 2002, der.hans wrote:

> Am 03. May, 2002 schwätzte Todd Hought so:
>
> > Agreed. I've never had the opportunity to meet him, but I've heard he's
> > about as friendly as 40 grit sandpaper. Yep, he's got a good cause, but
> > the worst execution of said cause I've ever seen. Kinda like the Ford
> > Pinto, good idea, poor execution.
>
> RMS has a good idea and a good vision. His method of implementation isn't
> very open to letting others do as they desire :(. His view is that they're
> taking his freedoms, so he's willing to fight against that. I think that's
> understandable even if I don't agree with the way he does it.

Yep, problem is, it seems that he feels that EVERYONE is trying to take
his freedoms, be it by making proprietary, bad software,
<sarcasm> or by that most heinous of crimes, not saying 'GNU' in front of
the word 'Linux'
</sarcasm>

>
> GNU and the FSF should have someone else be the mouthpiece. At the same
> time, I'd like to have him back if we think we can get people interested in
> talking. Maybe this time do more intro for the various groups in town, etc.
>
> > If anyone does happen to go see him, my next-door neighbor is a barber,
> > and quite a nice guy, I'm sure he'd donate a haircut and beard trim to the
> > FSF.
>
> Blasphemer!

OK, let me rephrase, he doesnt need a haircut, maybe just a lesson in what
a brush is and how to use it.

And no offense intended to you, ya LongHair, I know you are an
exceptionally normal person. :-)

>
> > In fact, I personally challenge RMS to come up with a business plan based
> > on the creation of Open Source software that does NOT involve living in
> > one's own office at MIT or 'selling tech support'.
>
> As Derek has already pointed out that's a challenge for ESR not for RMS.
>
> What's wrong with 'selling tech support'? That's where the big bucks are.
> m$, other software vendors and hardware vendors make tons of money off that.
> The real quote should be on 'selling' since, for instance, you have to pay
> m$ to report a bug in their software.
>
> RedHat is doing well with a mostly Free Software model. The ogg/vorbis guys
> seems to be doing so as well if they can avoid patents, etc. SuSE lost out
> in the .us, but is still doing well in Europe. I believe TurboLinux is still
> doing well in .jp and I think Yellow Dog is somewhat stable here.
>
> The real inhibitor to Free Software companies is the m$ monopoly. The income
> rolling in from 25% of that market would keep lots of geeks off the streets.
> If it weren't for the monopoly and proprietary protocols/formats we would
> easily have 25% of that market.
>
> Their lock on protocols/formats is dissolving. I think that opens the door
> for Free Software and gives us the chance to break the monopoly. Only the
> Free Software model is in a position to do that.
>

Anyhew, I guess what it boils down to is that when you're just a regular
guy living in your work office, not bathing and looking generally freaky,
you're weird. When you're famous, it's just "being colorful"

> ciao,
>
> der.hans
> --
> #  https://www.LuftHans.com/
> #  Stell dir vor, es ist Krieg und keiner geht hin...
>
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