MESSAGE
| DATE | 2003-02-09 |
| FROM | David Sugar
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [hangout] Re: [novalug] Re: [fairuse] Re: E-Gov-OS conference
|
On Sunday 09 February 2003 20:01, Ruben Safir wrote:
> On Sun, Feb 09, 2003 at 07:47:42PM -0500, Seth J. Blank wrote:
> > What is wrong with providing Microsoft a place to speak in an open source
> > forum?
>
> What's wrong with excluding them. Their not relevent to the conference
> and have nothing to contribute.
>
> > Aside from not wanting to sink to their level and silence opposing views
> > (remember, open source is about the inclusion of ideas, not their
> > exclusion), let us consider what would happen if Microsoft spoke.
>
> Open Source is not silensing them just because they're not qualified
> to present at the conference. Open Source is just making responsible
> decisions on how to use our limited resources. They can and do talk all
> the time.
>
> > It seems to me that there are only two outcomes of Microsoft speaking,
> > namely that they would make fools of themselves, or that people would buy
> > into their FUD.
> >
> > The first circumstance, while welcome, would probably not happen. So
> > let's concentrate on people buying into MS's FUD.
>
> It's a waste of precious resources to fight MS FUD in an event designed to
> market Free Software to governments. And therefor, MS should be excluded.
>
> > If the members of the forum
> > cannot contradict Microsoft and allay people's fears, then perhaps the
> > open source movement has more to worry about than Microsoft speaking in
> > one of their forums.
> >
> > Also, your assertion that Microsoft is evil and should be shunned at any
> > computer forum in general is unfounded and irrelevant.
>
> Actually, it would be more correct to charactorize MS as evil than pretend
> they are a responsible corperate citizen.
>
> MS has been convicted TWICE for antitrust activity, and has thwarted
> economic developement. They have inihibited community developement with
> their monopolistic activities, and is working on DRM which would end Free
> Software on the Intel platform. They have repeatedly twarted peoples right
> to innovate, and start witch hunts with the BSA.
>
> How else can they be described better than Evil?
>
> Is Criminal and Anti-Social a better description?
>
> > Idealistic, but
> > irrelevant. Microsoft isn't going anywhere, and ignoring it or calling it
> > names does nothing to change this.
>
> Ignoring them is fine. It's the best tactic. Let MS rail away but they
> should have no position in a Free Software event of any kind.
>
> > It is best to invite them to forums, hear
> > them out, and then correct them.
>
> No - the community has better things to do. If they want a debate, NY Fair
> Use can sponsor one for them.
>
> > Showing people how Microsoft is wrong --
>
> That's also a waste of time. Showing them how Free Software is right is
> a better use of time. They're just like North Korea. They'd do anything
> to gain your attention. Screwem...let them talk to the wall until they
> earn a place at the table.
____________________________
New Yorker Free Software Users Scene
Fair Use -
because it's either fair use or useless....
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