attractor89 (October 6, 2008 at 5:48 pm)

One of the reasons why I'm unwilling to develop free software is I simply don't want to spend time dealing with corrupt programmers who either try changing its source code in a malicious way or steal it and use it for themselves. This is where non-free software gets its position. You never have to worry about your product if you don't distribute its code to millions of people. I didn't get your last statement though. Are you suggesting that users should subsidize software production?

mekanopsis1 (October 6, 2008 at 2:22 pm)

Stallman is remarkable in that he's almost never wrong. But he does tend to oversimplify issues and take unrealistic positions. For example, saying that "no one would be tempted to put malicious features in free software". There have been lots of cases of crackers secretly putting backdoors in free software. He also sidesteps the issue of the economic production of software too much. Capitalism subsidizes the majority of fine artists; why couldn't we do the same for software?

attractor89 (October 5, 2008 at 8:13 pm)

(continued)Don't get me wrong, but as far as I'm concerned, you can not do anything huge in the software market without a considerable amount of money. Even the biggest open source projects like Linux require that developers paid on a regular basis work hand-in-hand with one another to compete with closed-source software applications.

attractor89 (October 5, 2008 at 8:04 pm)

(continued)There has to be another way to develop software - a way in which one can write computer programs and make money so as to spend it on R&D, salaries, and other expenses - a way in which millions of people do not face all the nasty difficulty in attempting to use the desired programs.

attractor89 (October 5, 2008 at 7:56 pm)

I've recently found out about Richard Stallman, who I think seems like a pretty reasonable man. I agree that the majority of proprietary software developers restrict users' freedom to use programs. For this reason, I've been dwelling on this issue to find a better solution on my own. However, one question that keeps me busy on mind is how do open source advocates make money? It freaks me out to know that some open-source people are in fact looking for economic help from others.

xjih78 (August 5, 2008 at 4:18 am)

don't worry about it, sugar. ;)

MissGarbo (August 4, 2008 at 2:56 pm)

I'd like to follow up and this is not directed at xjih78 but rather everyone else and Mr. Stallman. I'm sorry for being so rude. I did at some level want to help by my criticism. But I could have said it in a more respectful way.

markoresko (July 12, 2008 at 2:58 am)

Let`s NOT Allow Software to enslave us.Use FREE software not to be under control of others. Free software stands for Freedom.

zoldello (June 9, 2008 at 5:11 am)

Microsoft will deserve all the respect in the world if it can hire Richard Stallman and get his to sing their praise like a love-bird. That will be awesome!

EduCamargo (June 5, 2008 at 5:26 am)

"whatever i buy the music listen to it and i dont care if i cant copy it". If you are from USA, love iTunes, and would love to use a store to buy music from, you would be more comfortable with the Amazon's MP3 download service.