Why Free Software?
In the bigger picture, I don't care why IBM wants Java to be free software. Their motivations are their own. Mine are the same ones that have been my passion for nearly 14 years now: the ability to fix bugs that affect me, to add features I think are needed, to work on projects in cooperation with like-minded comrades, to avoid being locked in to any one company's view of the world. Personally I find APIs wonderful, but even good documentation is no substitute for an occasional (contamination-free) look underneath the hood.
My feelings are similar.
I feel a bit uncomfortable when I see news stories hyping Linux and free software as being more secure, cheaper, etc etc. It often is good in these ways but I don't think it is globally optimal. In any particular situation some closed software might well be a better solution for an immediate practical problem.
The trade press and the industry as a whole has this stupid habit of hyping things up to a ridiculous degree, then realizing how stupid they've been and swinging back the other way. So in a way I hate to see gushing articles about Linux because I think they will just make the recoil worse.
Anyhow: personally, I think it would be really nice to have a free system, with all the good aspects that Tom mentions. I think it is worth spending a little time to get it. It's not so important how many people want to use it, except if that helps it develop faster.
posted Mon 3 May 2004 in /software/freedom | link
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