Where to start??
I have to agree with Erik De here (thanks for
clarifying the real ground on which the argument
stands, Erik.) and will extend the argument too.
This article reminds me that there are 'Alan
Jones' types all around the world and in all kinds
of media and it generally cheapens the field.
They take something, extract a small part and then
blow it out of proportion, decontexualise it, hide
the history and political elements to their claims
and all along position themselves as the voice of
reason and balance. Jones is a classic example of
this type of "journalism" and this article appears
to be a classic example of that type of
"journalism" as well.
For a great many people, GNU/Linux is an
expression of a particular form of ethics. If you
fail to generally accept those ethics then it's no
surprise that swapping backwards and forwards
between OSs would be seen as a reasonable thing to do.
I can't say that I adhere to the same level of
commitment that RMS has, but I at least aim in the
same direction.
To summarise my machine - it all works brilliantly
well for multi-media editing (of a not
particularly simple level) and I can hunt around
for the best hardware at the best prices.
It would appear to me that if you GNU/Linux fits
your ethical position on the world then OSs which
do not meet the same ethical standards would not
be something you would consider for the great
majority (if any) of your needs.
As someone who considers the general GNU/Linux
ethical argument (as espoused by RMS) I'm not in a
position to merely swap when the whim takes me as
it would mean going counter to an ethical position
I accept as being a part of my own.
Speaking personally, I'd rather contribute to an
OS which has a community-orientation (not which
has a *community* which is kept like serfs), which
is made available to the world as freely as
possible and which attempts to maintain my freedom
of choice, access, use and ownership.
Regards,
Patrick
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