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Linux Godfather urges revolt against Microsoft
Let's party like it's 1969, says Stallman.
By John E. Dunn, Techworld | Techworld
Published: 06:26 GMT, 07 July 08
Open source stalwart Richard Stallman has declared himself unfooled by Bill Gate’s retirement. The founder might have gone, but the malevolent influence of his company is still with us, he has said in an article for the BBC.
In a biting attack on Microsoft, Bill Gates, and a number of other partners in software crime, including Apple and Adobe, the creator of GNU Linux repeats arguments he has set out many times before, though not to such a wide audience or at such a public moment in Microsoft’s history.
Put succinctly, Microsoft is the worst exponent of a business model that has sought to tie computer users to a restrictive, morally unjust and expensive philosophy of computer use.
In his view, Microsoft enshrines anti-competitive behaviour, has invested in technologies that restrict the behaviour of PC users for no good reason, and has deliberately hampered compatibility with non-Microsoft software.
He even takes a swipe at the acceptance of the Office Open XML document standard earlier this year by the ISO, accusing Microsoft of packing the standards committee that approved it.
Anything else? He’s not a big fan either of the high-profile Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, praised by many for its charitable giving in the developing world.
“These actions are intolerable, of course, but they are not isolated events. They are systematic symptoms of a deeper wrong which most people don't recognise: proprietary software,” he writes.
The fact that Bill Gates has retired is beside the point, declares Stallman. What matters is the fact that the business model of the company he founded still holds sway over many users.
“But Gates didn't invent proprietary software, and thousands of other companies do the same thing. It's wrong, no matter who does it,” says Stallman.
“Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, and the rest, offer you software that gives them power over you. A change in executives or companies is not important. What we need to change is this system,” said an angry Stallman.
Once upon a time, Stallman’s pitch for open source software would have sounded like a rant from software’s Leninist margins, but this time, perhaps, he senses a moment of weakness for the world’s largest software company.
Windows Vista has turned sour, interest in Linux is at an all-time high, and suddenly desktop operating systems don’t look as all-defining of the future as they once did. Microsoft has invested in new technologies such as virtualisation, but it’s by no means certain that Microsoft will automatically be its dominant force.
“Gates may be gone, but the walls and bars of proprietary software he helped create remain, for now. Dismantling them is up to us,” he concludes.
Last week Stallman urged young people in France to take to the streets to protest against a new copyright law that affects the ability of citizens to watch DVDs using free software.
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Tallem | Published: 03:07 GMT, 30 July 2008
In theory, open source is a beautiful concept. In practice, lots of questions pop up: is there always support for this software ? can this type of software be handled by the "average" user ? why do we need hundreds of distributions of Linux, the differences of which are only understood by highly skilled experts ? What about the numerous applications written for Windows that are often free and very useful ? I prefer them over day-long struggling to install a program in Linux. Ultimately, the question is, who are your target users and what do they need ?
col critchett | Published: 01:11 GMT, 23 July 2008
Richard Stallmann speaks words of wisdom against the disease of corporate domination where all humanity suffers. The disease is unrecognized by the majority of people. Stallman's clarity of vision is viewed with in hope by those who have a deeper, longer term understanding. Stallman cares about people, the corporate system 'cares' about money to which many of us are hopelessly addicted.
BASM | Published: 22:34 GMT, 12 July 2008
this man is open-source extremist :) I suggest that we make all programs open-source but only making the support commecial NOT BOTH or like what Trolltech do , we make it open-source for only open-source uses and comerical for commercial uses
guest | Published: 00:40 GMT, 12 July 2008
Stallman has never made a pitch for "open source software" in his life...he pitches for "free software"...software that embraces the "four freedoms" to run software for any purpose, study the source code and adapt it to your needs, copy the software so you can help your neighbour and the freedom to release your own modified version of the software. He's preached these four freedoms since 1991. The proprietary software model is finished...gone...done unless we allow dimwit politicians to help dimwit corporations impose it on us.
David | Published: 05:27 GMT, 08 July 2008
this blog against microsoft needs even more emphasis as they try once again to take over Yahoo, a REAL company. Snice when is it okay to blatantly and overtly try to overthrow another? YES, I specially think a boycott and uprising against microsoft is definitely in order.
Bruno Corasolla | Published: 19:37 GMT, 07 July 2008
A correction: Stallman created GNU and the Free Software Foundation on the mid 80's. Linux itself, as everybody knows, was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, afterwards adopting the GPL (GNU Public License).
StopBS | Published: 14:42 GMT, 07 July 2008
Rubbish.
The objective view. | Published: 14:41 GMT, 07 July 2008
I support Linux 100% but I feel that people should make an objective decision for themselves after reading The Truth about Linux.