[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]
Having followed this thread carefully, I think I would like to make several observations. 1. This debate is getting unhealthy. I was in a computer shop the other day picking up some wireless network cards (which I will come back to in a moment), and I was trying to encorage another customer to install MythTV as he was buying a new mother board to potentially install Windows Media Centre. I suggested that this group was friendly and that a few people on the group had installed MythTV and would be willing to help. I left the shop, and left him to make his own mind up as to whether or not he wanted to join the group. Frankly if this sort of thread is going to continue, I will not recommend joining DCGLUG to anyone, its not giving us a good name, these emails are archived and they are browsable on the web. I dont mind debate but we are crossing lines here. Any newbie with an ounce of sense to do what is recommended (browse the archives to get a feel for things) is going to run back to his windows box and hide behind his/her screen never to be seen again. 2. I don't know about your own PC configurations you may well be all running open firmwire but for myself and I suspect most of you will be running the BIOS supplied by the manufacturer of your motherboard. And thus there will ALWAYS be a bit of proprietary software necessary to get your favourite distro (no matter how open / proprietary it is) up and running. You can shout "Unclean, Unclean ...." at who every you wish, but nothing is going to change this fact for quite some time yet. 3. This "proprietary firmware" issue is a sham, partly because of what I said above, but also because there are important rules that specifically apply to WiFi cards, you just can't have people trampling all over radio frequencies and there harmonics, there are many important radio frequency bands out there, Airline, Police, Ambulance, Marine Coast Guard, etc.. etc.. etc... . Thats why we have the FCC and that is why manufactures have to put firmware in place (for wifi cards) to ensure that they comply with the reglations. If a way can be found to ensure that free firmware can meet the same requirement all is well and good. BUT I will continue to use proprietary firmware drivers for projects that may well mean internet connection for people in developing countries who have none at the moment. To sit here and deny that right of access to information about education, health, farming practices, and a host of other information essential to the growth of developing nations simply because a drivers firmware does not meet someones ethical standards is just plain UNFAIR. If every distro of linux where to outlaw said firmware drivers, I would have to compile my own, time wasted. 4. ON THE OTHER HAND, I would personally hang out with Richard Stallman any day of the week. Not because I agree with every word that comes from his mouth ( I don't and probably never will do ) , but because WITHOUT his foresight and vision we would not be using the tools we are using today right now while you are reading this email and previously while I was writing it. He is the counterweight against a global inertia and trend towards digital enslavement enshrined in such legislation as DRM etc..... . To do his job, to fight OUR corner (which he does well IMO) he does not have to be 100% right, agreeable or diplomatic, he needs to be Richard Stallman warts and all. And while some of the things he says make me bristle, I would not wish him to change one bit. 5. We should all be comfortable with our own levels / mixes and usage of free / proprietary software. If we are unhappy with our OWN mixes then we should adjust them as necessary. Its nice to strive for that 100% of freedom, but its our own individual choice at the end of the day. By all means, try to persuade others to follow a more empowering path to freedom, but please dont use harasment, bullying or ethical zealotry to enforce your own particular brand of freedom, utimately it will fail unless people are really ready to change. The only person who is going to change me is ME, the only peson who is going to change you is YOU. Now its way past my bed time (again) ! Tom. -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html