[Novalug] [Ma-linux] [FOSE] Starting the discussion

[greg pryzby]

Serge Wroclawski wrote:
> On Sat, Oct 04, 2008 at 02:10:11PM -0400, greg pryzby wrote:
>   
>> FLOSS is fine. In the term though, is it free beer or speech (I don't
>> know anymore as I haven't kept up with the political stuff).
>>     
>
> Well Greg, you've been in the community since 1994 and you haven't figured it out yet, I guess I'll try once more and hope that you get it.
>   

Do I get it? I will argue that yes. I will also argue that around 1999 
(iirc) there was a large split and instead of solving problems and 
writing software, it became a war of egos and agendas. The terms changed 
and who uses which term was too hard to keep up with.

What mattered to me, software is free (speech) and people had a choice.

If people choose proprietary or a mix or called is FIZBOT, wasn't my 
priority. I wanted people to have choice and use what they needed to get 
the job done.

And that is polarizing.

> Free Software is about freedom, as in free speech.
>
>   
>> As an aside a point I made was, solutions that solved problems were
>> important to show. How you did was discussed after the viewer agrees
>> the solution works for them.
>>
>>     
>
>   
>> My experience is most people don't care the detail (implementation) of
>> the solution. Instead,
>>
>> Does it work?
>> Does it meet my requirements?
>> How much does it cost ($ now for product rolled out and running)?
>>     
>
> Professionally, from the time I've known you (1997-now), it's my understanding you've been in either a consulting or sales role though, so that's to be expected. People 
> who are going to someone with wallets open are often looking for someone to solve thier problem for them, anyway and anyhow.
>   

Not true. People hear "Free Software...." and think free beer and won't 
open their wallets. There is lots of education on free (speech).

> And of course there's no diachotomy here. People interested in freedom can are /are/ interested in solving practical problems, that's why it's the Free Software people 
> doing the dirty work like working on the low level guts of the system like gcc, glibc, shells and so much else of the ugly guts as well as working hard to create a Free 
> flash player (Gnash). I don't know how much more practical you can get than rolling up your sleeves and solving problems.
>   

Agreed.

However, at times people working on the code are more interested in 
converting people to their point of view and refuse to listen to a world 
where software can co-exist and for whatever reason, they don't want all 
free software.

That is an issue. Much like anything else in the world where there is 
only 'one true belief' or way to do things.

I am too old to hold on to that belief. Getting along with others is 
importan.t

> - Serge
>