Open source Free software 2636

Jim Richardson

At the heart of this matter we find a group of people who have created the FSF you mention, Free Software Foundation.

Obviously they think they can hijack a common word like free, and decide that it can only mean one thing in connection to software.

To fulfil that mission they have tried to stop people from using the word "freeware", in wikipedia and elsewhere, because it reminds people of the expression "free software" which they have decided to hijack and make their own expression, which can only mean what they decide that it means.

Their intentions are very good, but they have gone overboard with the idea that they can regulate and control how people use the language.

Such a common word as "free" can mean many different things to different people. The most likely meaning to most people, if you ask them what they think "free software" means, is probably that it is free to use without paying.

It is good that FSF is trying to educate people about other meanings of the word free, but this talk about free beer is just confusing people who have not joined the FSF movement.

Learn to explain what you mean better, instead of trying to regulate and control how people use the language.

There are a lot of angry and aggressive young men in this world, and some of them think they are doing the right thing when they struggle for the goals of FSF with questionable means. Try to teach them how to behave correctly, FSF.

And that goes for all other movements of interest too, whether religious or otherwise. Your first and most important task is to teach and control the angry young men who are your own supporters.

-- Roger J.