Over at the TuxToday blog, there’s a post about Linux users not caring about freedom - because they’d rather just use Adobe’s Flash plugin in lieu of Free Software like Gnash. Or they think Richard Stallman and the FSF are morons who are hurting the Open Source movement. I’m torn by this argument, because I can see both sides of this.
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bogdanbiv
16 years 38 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago
Free Software Manifesto For All Of Us
"In 1984 Richard M. Stallman, the founder of the Free Software Foundation, published the GNU Manifesto. More than twenty years later the language of that Manifesto, while still valid in spirit, isn't sufficient anymore in a world where almost all computers users have no interest at all in programming."
This is a quote from an essay made by Marco Fioretti entitled "A Free Software Manifesto For All Of Us".
Read it at http://digifreedom.net/node/57 .
Also please read more about "Freedom meaningful for end users" at the Tux Project, in my own post entitled "Freedomware calls for artists, end users" http://thetuxproject.com/node/286 .
aboutblank
16 years 38 weeks 5 days 31 min ago
I have a car and I am no mechanic
>isn't sufficient anymore in a world where almost all computers users have no interest at all in programming.
I have a car and I don't know any maintenance procedures other than the basics of changing the oil, replenishing the water and petroleum supply, maintaining tire pressure and changing a flat tire. If I know something is wrong that is outside my expertise, I find someone reliable that is experienced. That might be the mechanic neighbour or the auto shop that is 15 minutes away. I can fix my car myself (if I know how to), or I can hire a mechanic to do it for me.
I am organising a gathering and want live music but I don't know anything about making music other than banging on a drum. I can find someone experienced to play some music for me instead. That might be the musician neighbour or a band I found in the Yellow Pages. I can play my own music (if I know how to), or I can hire a band to do it for me.
I have a computer program that meets some of my requirements. I know I can get the code modified to fit my requirements but I don't know anything about computer programming other than it is the art of arranging programming statements to make the computer do something useful. If I want a program changed, I find someone reliable that is experienced. That might be the programmer friend or the software development shop in the next town. I can tinker with code myself (if I know how to), or I can hire a programmer to do it for me.
bogdanbiv
16 years 38 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago
Collaborative improvement of the usefulness of a car/computer
There are far more ways for contributing to the usefulness of a car than just being a mechanic.
With a car one can:
* manufacture it (countless specialized jobs here...)
* document it (technical writer)
* repair it, so others may travel by it (mechanic);
* testers (drive testing, crash testing)
* drive it, so non-drivers can travel easier (driver);
* give indications to the driver using a map and the landmarks (as a copilot);
* pushing the car, if the engine stops or is out of gas;
* give indications for parking it;
* clean it;
There are far more collaborative interactions in using a car and increasing its functionality. While there are many technical people adding value to a car, they are not the only ones. There are others, with no knowledge of mechanics, who can add value to it.
Right now most people contributing in free software are people with knowledge of it's "mechanics" (internal workings of the software). We need more copilots, more people "pushing it from behind when there is no gas", more cleaners. Doing these "chores" helps people with mechanical skills and knowledge dedicate more time to what they are best at. The mechanic has more time to learn his stuff and that means the car gets repaired faster and better. Helping the driver gets people to their destination faster and safer.
If one needs no improvement of the functionality of the computer/car they are currently using, then s/he needs not contribute to its usefulness. Nobody requires them to - because it is a free country.