Find Free Software a New Voice

[Stan Goodman]

On Saturday 08 October 2011 15:18:44 Tom Balazs wrote:
> http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2011/10/why-fsf-founder-richar
> d-stallm.php
> 
> "It's time for free software to find a new voice. Once again, Free
> Software Foundation founder Richard Stallman is putting his feet
> firmly in his mouth. This time, Stallman says that he's glad Steve
> Jobs is
> gone<http://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#06_October_2011_%
> 28Steve_Jobs%29>.
> 
> 
> It's no secret that RMS and Steve Jobs held firmly opposed views when
> it comes to software freedom. I didn't expect Stallman to hold a
> vigil at an Apple store for Jobs, or even to say much of anything at
> all. But his ill-considered response does nothing for the cause of
> free software, and actually does a lot of damage.
> 
> Stallman and the Free Software Foundation, have long expressed a very
> public dislike for Apple and Jobs. They've conducted campaigns
> against the iPad<http://www.defectivebydesign.org/ipad>and Stallman
> has a history of speaking out about the iPhone and other closed
> devices. Though I've often disagreed with the tone and language of
> Stallman's commentary on closed devices, he makes good points about
> software freedom. But his latest, posthumous, attack on Jobs
> demonstrates that Stallman has no business being spokesperson of
> anything ..." (follow link for the full text)
> http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2011/10/why-fsf-founder-richar
> d-stallm.php


Personally, although Stallman and Jobs have made great contributions to 
computer art and to the culture of  our time, it would be difficult to 
regard either of them as an arguably admirable human being. On the other 
hand, to claim joy that either of them is dead if the worst kind of bad 
taste, and places the one who said it outside the human pale. But it is 
no surprise that Stallman is the one who said this, based on the recent 
mental confursion he exhibited during his visit to the Middle East. The 
man needs psychiatric attention.

-- 
Stan Goodman
Qiryat Tiv'on
Israel