"I still reckon it's disappointing how many free software hackers now run a non-free OS" -- Edd Dumbill.
This is something I've been thinking about more and more over the last few weeks whilst waiting for the Powerbook to arrive. Should I install Debian on it, or just use OS X? My conclusion at the moment is that I don't have the patience any more to put up with tweaking linux until it works, and the ongoing maintenance involved to make it stay that way. I don't have the patience to put up with all the annoying little things that don't quite do what they should.
But still, the non-free argument is a compelling one. How can I stand up for Free Software when I'm not using it myself? This got me into trouble with the Free Software purists of the AFFS a few months back, when I mentioned my mail client of choice was the notoriously free-but-not-Free Pine. (Even though it's given away, Pine's licence is slightly too restrictive to qualify - so it doesn't meet the four freedoms requirement to be Free.)
The way I see it is this: if my decisions on software use are motivated by a balance of Freedom and the ability to just get the job done, I'll have much more time to advocate Free Software. A lot of Free Software evangelists seem to think that Free Software alternatives must be used regardless of whether they are really fit for the purpose or not. Sorry, not me. Being Free is not enough - it has to work as well.
Posted by savs at October 23, 2003 5:25 PM