the richard stallman affair

if you haven't noticed, i'm a big linux nerd. i'm all for open source software, believing whole heartedly in a world filled with free software and operating systems all being built and maintained by large communities who work together to keep things working. i love the idea of companies like microsoft and even apple having to keep an eye out on the open source world, because, hey, linux + openoffice.org = nearly $1000 less than windows xp pro plus office 2003 pro, aka, free. there's plenty of people out there who get it, and love it.

the issue, linux is not QUITE as simple as windows, or as adaptable, things don't work quite the same, and there isn't as much support out there for new users. this means that, while it's possible to make almost all hardware (your scanner, printer, wacaom tablet, flash drive, external harddrive) work under linux, it's not always as simple as plugging it in and dropping a disc in the drive, sometimes you need to execute a couple of extra commands. also, while there are far more software packages for linux than there are for windows, and most of those are free, many of them do not work indentically with their windows counterparts. for many, the software side of things would be akin to owning a mac, own much cheaper.

this issue being worked on constantly, there are many dedicated people out there who are coding, and writing, and working hard to make the linux platform a viable option for as many users as possible. it's already getting closer every day. there are several pay for play versions out there that work very much like windows, and do nearly all the same things almost as easily (SUSE, Xandros, Red Hat), as well as some software that will allow you to use most of your windows software (WINE (a windows api layer)) and play your windows games (cedega, uhh, wine on steroids?)). all of these things are still far less expensive than windows.

now, to the point, you may be aware of the amazing linus torvald, the progenetor of the great linux system, who first wrote the kernel when he was a student 15 years ago. he became one of the most famous nerds on the planet, and had a real noteriety almost instantly. however, there is a lesser known nerd, who has a ludicrous amount of control over the future of linux, richard stallman. a man, who in 1985 formed the group the free software foundation. stallman has a radical vision that basically every peice of code on the planet should free. he is obstinant against copyright and patents, and because of his group, he actually holds the licensing rights to the major components that make up linux.

why is this a problem? he is in the process of rewriting the gpl to v3, the reasoning behind this is that he wishes to lock out big companies like ibm from being able to distribute anything with a single line of linux code that would block users from infringing on copyrighted and intellecutal propertys (think digital rights management), as well suing over patent infringments relating to linux. basically, he is trying to restrict the big players in the industry.

(to better understand the gpl (general public license) check out the free software foundation)

why is this a problem? well, we must look at this from the completely capitalist point of view. before, i mentioned that i love open source, and completely free software, but it isn't as well supported as systems like, say, windows. however, and this is a big however, there are linux packages that are built by companies such as ibm and novell (suse is one of my favorite linux flavors, especially opensuse) that you can pay for, which has licensed software built in, and works a better out of the box, and comes with support from the vendor. this is a good thing. stallman's bid would basically tear the linux community in two, making companies like ibm, who have invested millions of dollars, rethink their positions. many companies may stick with older versions because it is covered under the less restrictive license, and linux may suffer for years to come because of it.

here it is, we are at a point where the linux revolution, which has been slowly gaining ground over the years, may actually be in terrible peril. it is frustrating, because i strongly beleive in free software, but i understand that there is a point where money has to play a role in almost everything. there's just not enough people out there with the time, inclination, or general 'knack' to be able to start using linux without having some support. also, companies like tivo, which use linux, may have trouble growing as well, just like many mobile phone companies.

forbes has a great article about the situtation. check it out.

bah... i'm done ranting.