[pp.int.general] Why Free Software misses the point

[Boris Turovskiy]

Hi Ole,
> I have to admit I had problems reading your critique of FSF. But this
> discussion helps me to understand your viewpoint a little better. For
> example, I understand that your main problem is with the philosophy of
> the FSF, and that you do not mind the practical advantages arising from
> such a philosophy.
>    
Well, it seemed to me that I was rather clear on that point, even the 
article's name references Stallman's article "Why Open Source misses the 
point of Free software" (which I quote throughout the article and which 
is clearly focused on philosophy), but many reaction have shown that I 
was wrong and that the article appears on the outside to be generic 
anti-open source rather than a critique of the FSF philosophy. I think 
I'll have to modify it so that the article cannot be mistaken for an 
attack on open source software and the advantages it provides.

> Now you lost me again. The policy of FSF is to ensure people four basic
> freedoms. How can ensuring people's freedoms be depreciating of people's
> needs?
>    
Mr. Stallman says in his article that "powerful and reliable software 
can be bad if it violates users' freedoms", while for the user, power 
and stability are definitely more important than the "freedoms" defined 
by the FSF. Also, take a look at Radoslaw's mail in this thread where he 
wites about "people who only care about convenience" - that's a really 
depreciating attitude, isn't it?

Best regards,
Boris