"BadVista.org": FSF launches campaign against Microsoft Vista [LWN.net]

"BadVista.org": FSF launches campaign against Microsoft Vista

Posted Dec 16, 2006 10:34 UTC (Sat) by danieldk (subscriber, #27876)
Parent article: "BadVista.org": FSF launches campaign against Microsoft Vista

Ugh, this makes me less proud a FSF member. Free software can stand on its own merits, we don't need a smear campaign to increase its visibility. I have been using Fedora Core 6 and RHEL 5 Beta 2 the last few weeks, and it can easily compete with OS X or Windows in many areas, and surpasses both systems in other. Just promote the merits of free systems, that has worked well for twenty years.

(Log in to post comments)

"BadVista.org": FSF launches campaign against Microsoft Vista

Posted Dec 16, 2006 11:41 UTC (Sat) by tclark (guest, #32451) [Link]

My views on this are mixed. I would prefer to talk about the merits of Linux and free software, and this must remain the primary message. But I do sometimes talk with Windows users who are considering Vista, and it would be helpful to have some information about why they should avoid it.

"BadVista.org": FSF launches campaign against Microsoft Vista

Posted Dec 16, 2006 12:29 UTC (Sat) by danieldk (subscriber, #27876) [Link]

I agree, there is nothing wrong with helping others with some good advise. But starting an anti-Vista site is something different IMO. It only reinforces the idea that free software supporters are unreasonable zealots. Most of us are not :^).

More general campaigns (like DefectiveByDesign.org) that emphasize the disadvantages of restrictive technology feel a lot more sympathetic.

Technical merits

Posted Dec 16, 2006 13:13 UTC (Sat) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091) [Link]

I agree, but sticking just with technical merits is dangerous. There are lots of areas where proprietary software is better than free software; sometimes (as with playing DVDs or MP3s), free software cannot get there without transforming itself into proprietary software -- or changing the legal landscape.

In other aspects, like security, centering on the relative merits of free software can make us engage in a nonsensical battle about who is worse (more insecure). Think IE and Firefox. I fear this may happen with Vista.

Then there are some places where proprietary software cannot go: free software can be distributed freely, you can adapt it to your needs, you can run it as you like, or change suppliers; you know exactly what it does, and formats are open by default. These are the real winners for free software: centering on these merits you cannot lose.

"BadVista.org": FSF launches campaign against Microsoft Vista

Posted Dec 17, 2006 1:25 UTC (Sun) by zotz (guest, #26117) [Link]

"Just promote the merits of free systems, that has worked well for twenty years."

The merit of a Free system is that it is Free (libre) right? What other merit do you think they should promote?

Even copyleft is losing its meaning in the market:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=copyleft&...

Look through there and see how many videos are claiming to be copyleft while saying either no commercial use or even no changes.

I am sure people would not repeat themselves so much if they weren't constantly being misrepresented.

Sorry for the ramble, but it is connected in an odd way.

all the best,

drew