Remember that society doesn't need to switch to free software suddenly,
you can actually recommend, teach, and install free software that has
kindly made available for non-free system distributions, like:
* GNU IceCat for web browsing.
* LibreOffice for office productivity.
* Mailpile for email
I would extend that to any non-free system distribution also.
Thanks for making this topic.
According to a presentation given by Hill at LibrePlanet 2013[1][2][3],
free software isn't always practically better. You'll notice that Hill
starts his talk by presenting *open source* arguments of
user-friendliness, security, mass developer participation, and so
I agree, but I would much rather find the argumentation or perhaps the way to
present arguments that'll make people knot, wonder and revise...
I'd say a study is worth it because it's part of the scientific
method/experimentation. Else it's just the so-called common sense, like the
Earth being flat and redheads being sorcerers (this one is true though).
Of course, having a source is much better (I'm guilty of that one myself on
>There is evidence that people feel guilty when they see others make a
decision perceived as ethical and because of feeling bad, they act negatively
towards that person.
Sure they feel guilty. When they see someone acting ethically they also see
themselves acting non ethically. Hence, the
> but laugh at people who take the more cumbersome road to defend them
selves. It doesn't make sense.
There is evidence that people feel guilty when they see others make a
decision perceived as ethical and because of feeling bad, they act negatively
towards that person.
There was a study
This is an interesting and highly relevant issue. I always run into people
not understanding why I want to bother with the not always so easy to use
free alternatives. It's really strange to me that people take it so light.
I live in Denmark where we are used to consider our selves as a free
OK, now I see your point. It is true that different people understand things
in different ways. It is reasonable to adapt the style of the message to
your audience. Just make sure you are adapting the style only!
I really like root_vegetable's point:
" Try explaining it to young people
This comment:
"Bottom line, which is easier to argue with:
1.) All non-free programs are an injustice. Non-free software should not
exist.
or
2.) Trisquel is better than Windows/MacOS?
Nobody has been able to effectively argue with me on point one."
I thought you say it because people
"I know you already like free software but this are for your comment"
Which comment?
Free software is software that has the four freedoms. If it is missing any of
these four freedoms, it is not free. Very simple.
The right to fair medical treatment or the rights regarding land ownership
I can argue a few examples. (I know you already like free software but this
are for your comment :) )
If everyone played by the same rules of propietaIry software that would mean:
1) If you are sick and you go to the doctor he would give you medicine, but
not a recepie. He would say: "A)
I have many times read Stallman's personal page on how he does his computing.
He makes it clear that he is talking about his own personal choices and that
he is not making any recommendations for others. By contrast, in his
speeches he is telling others what he thinks they should do.
Alternatively have a workshop session after where members of the audience
demonstrate to others, and Stallman should demonstrate too.
Have you read the page on Stallman.org where he explains how he does his
computing (https://stallman.org/stallman-computing.html)? It does not sound
beginners
Well said. Sad, but true. It is the whole FUD thing over and over again.
I have family members--successful professionals with graduate degrees--that
will trust me with valuable possessions of theirs, and that know I have
training and experience with computers, yet if I suggest that I show
pragmatist: agreed. That's the gist of it.
People like what they know even if it is bs.
Windows often throws up weird errors and bloatware tries to extort money out
of them, and they always hear stories of ransomware.
It is often easier to 'trust' the computer and leave it alone as much as
possible.
So people get terrified of any
And it's comical how they still stick with windoze, how much ever the user
interface changes, like windoze 8 or the ribbon thing in M$ office...
I wonder if this is some combination of inertia and authoritarianism.
I understand your point, but in my experience windows is sooo bad, that is
hard that someone says windows is better, in general they just say "i don't
have time to learn something new".
But, those kind of people in general, won't be convinced no matter what, hey
even some slaves wanted to
>Think about what they would say:"I have nothing to hide"<
This is spot-on.
Most people think they are petty figures in statistics. They mistakenly
believe what they do or think is not worthwhile to anybody. That is so wrong
on all fronts. They should picture themselves in a prison cell
If you are not committed to freedom, why should you sacrifice the hardware
you have that has no free drivers? Why should you give up program X that you
need for work, that you like, that you know how to use, and with which you
have created years worth of data that is in an incompatible
That is an excellent compendium Banana Magique :)
+1
>Your general approach of getting them interested first, by showing them the
good things in free software, is reasonable. It sounds like a great way to
get people started. I have followed this approach myself at one point. In
fact, if free software required no sacrifices in convenience, then
Thanks for the tips, I remember facing the "nothing to hide" argument once.
There was also a Ted talk where the argument was roughly "if it is true, you
should have no trouble sending me and everyone else all your email adresses
with passwords". Obviously, no one agrees to it :)
Fair enough. Applied to the strategy I suggested, you would help the person
understand that her freedom is at stake. Explain to her that if she uses free
software she can be free. Explain to her that sometimes her freedom will
require a small sacrifice, for example a sacrifice of some
Try explaining it to young people and children. If they can understand then
you are probably being clear about it.
Think about what they would say:
"I have nothing to hide"
You could, for instance, quote Snowden, who presents the analogy that that is
like saying "you don't want freedom of
I agree, it's just that it's much harder to drop properly and convincingly in
a conversation with several people attending. My personal concern is about
delivery, related to the the unclear content (in my mind): I mean there are
so many examples... quite ironic.
I just need to read more
I'd convince someone like me by talking about privacy, which was my first
motivation. But more and more, it became the fun and powerful programs, and
the possibility to do what I wanted with them.
First problem : I'm not properly informed about privacy. My arguments and
knowledge are
Many of your specific ideas are excellent and I love your enthusiasm.
Your general approach of getting them interested first, by showing them the
good things in free software, is reasonable. It sounds like a great way to
get people started. I have followed this approach myself at one point.
Dolphin Emu + Wind Waker
Gr8
I've had a huge load of hours of genuine fun with the supernintendo bust a
move on zsnes. :))
To: User help and discussion
Subject: Re: [Trisquel-users] How to convice others to use FOSS
I say, "Hey, want to play a cool game called Minetest?"
It has worked on a couple people :)
>I live in the third world my friend :)<
I understood so much. That's why I brought it up.
These people get to know the Internet through their phones. They use services
to communicate and share their thoughts.
In the emrging market, we need GNU services, a replacement for popular social
Great way :)
I didn't think of games because I almost don't play games anymore :/
I live in the third world my friend :)
And trust me, there is a lot of people here using a computer, specially those
who work and go to school.
Now, I want to be clear: My point is if we want to explain free software to
people, we gotta talk to people in a language they can understand and
I understand my friend :)
But I never said that we shouldn't use the right names.
What I meant, is that before overwhelming people that doesn't know about free
software, specially those who don't know much about computers at all. It is
better if we talk to them in a language they can
>I don't care.
https://www.gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.en.html
Names convey meanings; our choice of names determines the meaning of what we
say. An inappropriate name gives people the wrong idea. A rose by any other
name would smell as sweet—but if you call it a pen, people will be rather
I think it's pretty hard to convinve somebody that they can't watch Netflix
if it's requirement is Digital Restrictions Management. The real threat for
liberties comes from these services.
I think that the way I came to trisquel is not relevant to my point :)
My point is to make the most people interested in free software and the only
way I can think we can do that is talking to people in a way they will get
interested and they can understand :)
Thats why people, like the
I never said to only talk about technical benefits :)
I just said, if you want people to get interested in free software you gotta
help them understand in a way that they can understand, not in the way we
want them to understand.
The most difficult person to free is the one who doesn't even know he's
shackled. If we only talk about practical benefits that will teach people
nothing about freedom. And that is the only unique benefit free software has.
If a person isn't in it for the freedom they will jump ship for the
What made you 'convinced' to use libre sofware? Will it work with other
people?
I grew into it gradually by using it. Nobody told me to do it. I never had
any vested interest in Windows, for instance. It was easy to throw it away.
For some, maybe it's hard.
I know it says Linux. And not GNU/Linux.
I know, and you know what I don't care. I care about people being free not
saying the proper things, after they are free I will take the time to explain
them all of this beautiful philosophy. And how to use their computers and all
that.
But
Hey everyone I see a lot of doubts in here about how to help Trisquel to
spread, well let me tell you my point of view:
First of all I am a Lawyer, a Divorce Lawyer, and I do my own advertising,
and as you may guess, it is kinda difficult, but here is a few things I have
learned and I
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