Re: Shut Up With The Open Source Politics, OK?

(Rule No. 0: Never get involved in a land war in Asia, or a religious
argument on the 'net.)

 >> The goal of Free Software is that it is Free; period. It is the
 >> freedom that needs to be appreciated by the user base. Otherwise,
 >> with out the appreciation, the user base will not defend it when
 >> closed vendors offer their closed wares at no cost (i.e. bait and
 >> switch).

 > Now how should I phrase your arguments to convince the management
 > of a large corporation?

My question would be: why is this pertinent? You probably have your
own reasons for wanting to convince management. Let's not forget that
it is in fact this management that is instituting these anti-user
policies of secrecy and planned obsolescence. Management is not the
user's friend. If you want to convince management to use free (libre)
software, you will have to find your own reasons.

For instance, I do want my company to use free software for my own
reasons (quality of code, helping the cause). I don't do this by
marching in and telling the bosses what I think of their business
practices; I tell them what they can gain. Save money, shave months
off schedules, have control over the source -- what's not to like? I
also convince them that they don't in fact gain anything by keeping
the source secret; but that's not too hard since the company I work
for makes hardware and also provides some web services.

Fundamentally, the term "open source" is bullshit. Why should anyone
care that they can read the code? In the 60's, if you wanted the
"source code" (assembly or autocode) to something from IBM, they'd
give it to you. If you didn't have the hardware, the code was useless
to you. However, "free/libre software" does say something about the
beliefs behind it. It is unfortunate that in English, the word "free"
means both "libre" and "gratis."

It is management's job to only concentrate on one thing: money. They
don't give a shit about freedom, or users, or right and wrong. (Some
companies draw the line at the illegal, but not all, of course!) It is
up to you to get them to support your cause.

-s