> I respect anyone willing to fight for their beliefs
So do I, but I disagree with moral judgement and shame being used as a weapon in that fight. I look forward to the day when RMS and his acolytes make a more convincing case and provide an alternative system that would allow us to inspect all source code, which I think is a goal to strive for.
I realized that later after my comment went into negative point territory, but couldn't edit it. I apologize for attacking the character of RMS because I don't know him. What I am reacting against is being told I am wrong for running proprietary software, no matter who says it.
From what I can tell, RMS asserts we have the right to inspect the source code of the software that runs on our machines. What is the source of this right? Is it a universal human right? A self-evident inalienable right? Did RMS want to hack a printer one day and found he couldn't so he made up a right for us? Why are people who ship closed software evil? For someone who goes around moralizing and judging others, RMS always seemed to me on shaky ground. Does he have a better way for programmers to earn a living for their hard work besides writing closed software for companies to sell? He comes off to me as a crank and a scold on a power trip to control people.
After watching the videos around the time this article came out, I spotted a man drowning in the ocean. I was on a cliff looking down at some tourists not familiar with the ocean. I couldn't get down to him or make myself heard to shout a warning. Fortunately, he pulled out of it and got to shore. It was the most helpless I ever felt.
Of all the hills to die on, this seems like an odd choice. Why not work with others to iron out the legal and technical issues with this new technology?