Oct

25

Stallman, GPLv3 Attack by Forbes is Ridiculous

Filed Under Editorial, Forbes.com, Stallman, Uncategorized, free software, gpl, gplv3, open source, rms | 55 Comments

Forbes magazine is a joke. In an article nicely titled “Toppling Linux”, Forbes goes on a personal attack against Richard Stallman and a fear mongering campaign against GPLv3 and its effect on Linux. They should be embarrassed to print something like this. Richard Stallman, for the uninitiated, is the creator of Emacs—a text editor and lifelong enemy of Vi. He also created the GNU C Compiler and GNU C Debugger. He co-founded the GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation (FSF). He was the lead author of the GNU General Public License (GPL), the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). In other words, a big shot in Open Source Software. Scratch that, Free Software as he prefers it to be called.

Known by the initials rms, he is respected, loved by the ladies and sometimes called a pain in the ass. I use Free Software daily, and believe most of it would not be possible without him. He is a vital figure. Every movement needs someone viewed as an extremist. It makes moderate gains possible. He asks for a full arm, maybe we get a hand. He does not deserve the treatment Forbes gave him. Quotes include: “a lesser-known programmer–infamously more obstinate and far more eccentric than Torvalds–wields a startling amount of control as this revolution’s resident enforcer” “He and a band of anarchist acolytes long have waged war on the commercial software industry” “A cantankerous and finger-wagging freewheeler, Stallman won’t comment on any of this because he was upset by a previous story written by this writer.” “in some ways he is downright bizarre. He is corpulent and slovenly, with long, scraggly hair, strands of which he has been known to pluck out and toss into a bowl of soup he is eating.” “Stallman engages in what he calls "rhinophytophilia"–"nasal sex" (also his term) with flowers” “His site also boasts a recording of him singing–a capella and badly–his own anthem to free software.” “He hasn’t hacked much new code in a decade or more.” “Stallman labors mightily to control how others think, speak and act, arguing, in Orwellian doublespeak, that his rules are necessary for people to be "free."” “Long ago Stallman was a gifted programmer.” “Most major tech vendors declined comment rather than risk tangling with Stallman’s enforcers, such as his sidekick and attorney, Columbia Law School professor Eben Moglen.” Would Forbes refer to others in this way? Would they call Steve Ballmer a bald headed, monkey dancing chair tosser? Would they call our president an inappropriate back-rub giving, hillbilly talking chimp? They think it is acceptable to trash rms and it shows they have an agenda.

They are trying to create the famous Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) about Linux. The article describes a nightmare scenario where rms and his anarchists “tear apart” the Linux revolution. It begins with the newest version of the GPL, which they see as so radical it will force Red Hat to hire employees that it can’t afford, it will “Balkanize” the community and help Microsoft. Hilariously, the writer interviews Larry McVoy, bff of Linus himself and darling of the kernel programmers. McVoy tells us that “Red Hat gets a lot of code from people that don’t work for Red Hat.” He didn’t mention that the sky is blue and up is the opposite of down. Does that mean that Slackware gets a lot of code from people who aren’t Patrick Volkerding? He also interviews Simon Lok, of Lok Technologies, who apparently got so scared of the extremists years ago that he dumped Linux out of fear. Mr. Lok diplomatically refers to “Stallman’s bunch” as “jackasses” and “fanatics”. He is also afraid they will kill him. I won’t even get into the inaccuracies of the GPLv2 vs. GPLv3. Unlike the author, I realize I don’t know enough about it to comment. The little bit I do know is that GPLv3 is in draft form right now, so it is a bit premature to go having panic attacks about it. The main people involved are passionate about it, but do not seem overly concerned that the dawn of GPLv3 will be the death of Linux. The debate also coined the obnoxious term "Tivoisation".

What really bothers me about this article is that if someone uninformed about Linux (someone like your boss or parent that you have been trying to persuade to try it out) reads this, it only reinforces their fears. Why try Linux when Forbes is saying that in the near future this crazy hair eating Stallman and his lunatic anarchists will be at your door? He strikes fear into the heart of IBM according to the article. If IBM is terrified of him, so scared they have invested billions into Linux, then why shouldn’t you be? Because the article is complete and utter bullshit, that is why.

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Oct

24

Fedora 6 is out

Filed Under Fedora, Linux Distributions, file sharing, free software, open source | Comments Off

I am not the biggest fan of Fedora, but their latest is out. Apparently the servers are down, so here is a link to the torrents:

Fedora torrents 

I have been pretty sick for the last week, will have some updates to the site very soon.

Thanks.

Oct

18

Free Ubuntu Video Tutorials

Filed Under Linux Tutorials, Ubuntu, Uncategorized, free software, open source | Comments Off

Are you new to linux and running Ubuntu? Ubuntuclips.org provides free video tutorials. Subjects include:

  • Considering Ubuntu? This provides an overview and a few how-to’s for doing things like installing applications
  • Ubuntu is Installed, Now what? This shows you how to do various things including copying images from your digital camera or copying files from your MP3 player and more.
  • Install tells you how to install EasyUbuntu to get MP3 and DVD support. It also includes a clip on installing the Macromedia Flash Player.
  • Photos provides a tuturial on copying images from your digital camera.
  • Web shows you how to work with tabs, how to secure your web experience and add extentions to Firefox
  • You are also able to provide your own video clips

I am impressed with this site. It is an simple way to show someone unfamiliar with linux just how easy it is, without having to boot into a live cd. It will save me from providing free tech support, I can just send them to this website. With their next release on the horizon, Ubuntu continues to impress. A site like this will only help.

Oct

15

Steve Jobs and Stepford Wives

Filed Under Editorial, apple, free software, open source, windows, women | 2 Comments

So here I am, sitting at the computer, pondering my first article for my new Linux website. I am thinking of you, reader, the kind of person that comes to a website like this. I know you. Right now you are laughing at me for using Word Press. If I manage to get this article linked from a major site, you are laughing at how slow the site is. Look to the right, my link section is pretty sparse at the moment. I didn’t even code the site, I used a template. I don’t know how, really. I am too old school (text editor) and strapped for time to do it right.

I wondered what I should write about, to kick things off. It is a good time to start. There is much controversy in the community. The forking of Compiz by Beryl. GPLv.3 . Mandriva. I can fall back on the old standbys, write an article about KDE so people in the comment section will complain about Trolltech. I could dare to write something negative about Ubuntu or Gentoo. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. What is the one thing that all Linux nerds, which I am down to my bones, know better than anything else? Women. So my first article for Linux Tech Daily is all about women. Using women as an analogy for Operating Systems.

Apple is like dating a beautiful woman. The catch is she has very strict rules about what you can do with her. You may only kiss her on the cheek or hold her hand. With a little effort maybe you can touch her knee or ankle. Her clothes look great on her, but she wears them every day and isn’t allowed to change them. You get to take her out, but it is going to cost you your entire paycheck. You can join a club with other guys dating similar women, smug in your knowing your choice separates you from the commoners you see everywhere. Sure, it is only one outfit, but man! Have you seen how good it looks on her? Things go well if you do them her way, because her way is the only way you are allowed to do them. Once a year her dad makes a big show about new accessories to her outfit. You and your club members guess and guess about what new mind blowing thing is on its way. Word on the cyber street is she may be getting her new outfit early this year, and it will have pockets like you haven’t seen before!

Linux is like dating a hot chick. The catch is sometimes she might get drunk and punch you in the face. The upside is you will be able to go back and logically figure out what caused the face punching, to make sure it doesn’t happen again. You will be able to count on her. Sometimes her outfits may not match, or she will have bring five purses when she only needs one. It doesn’t matter. She will be there. You don’t even have to worry about other guys hitting on her, she has a reputation for being difficult so they stay away. She is cool enough to let you pick out her clothes, she is willing to wear anything you want her to. She will do anything you ask of her, even if it is a stupid request. You have to be careful, because she is willing to destroy herself for you, if you misspeak. She has her rules, her dad is very strict even though he looks like a hippy, but they are rules that actually benefit your relationship. You just have to make sure you give her the credit she is due. You have seen that if you break the rules, her dad and his friends will come after you. She has people helping her every day, trying to make her better because they care so much about her. Her newest clothes blow your mind. The only problem is some of the riskier new clothes decided to break away from the rest of the new wardrobe. That is part of the fun of dating her. She is willing to be whatever you want her to be. You realize from time to time you don’t appreciate her enough and get too critical of the smallest flaw.

Windows is like dating Mary Hart or Vanna White with Joan Crawford’s personality. Too much makeup, and when you need her she may be completely unavailable. You can’t figure her out. Sometimes she will stop doing something basic, and it unclear why. She won’t let you into her head, but she will let just about anyone have their way with her. You are constantly on guard against STDs, and when you get them, brother, sometimes you wish you were dead. Most of the time she is easy to get along with, and just about everybody likes her. Just don’t let her see you flirting, it is like using a wire hanger.

Finally, BSD’s are like a hot older cousin of Linux, with a reputation of being looser. She’ll hang with anybody, even join the Apple club. You keep hearing reports that she’s dying.

I could go on and on with these analogies:

For the ladies, if you are still reading:

Apple is John Malkovich, Linux is Brad Pitt playing Tyler Durden and Windows is Tom Cruise.

Musically:

Alternative:
Apple is Coldplay, Linux is Destroyer and Windows is The Goo Goo Dolls.

Rap:
Apple is Arrested Development, Linux is Old Dirty Bastard and Windows is P. Diddy.

Classic Rock:
Apple is Eric Clapton, Linux is Pink Floyd with Roger Waters and Windows is Phil Collins.

Country:
Apple is George Jones, Linux is Johnny Cash and Windows is “Young Country”.

Star Trek:
Apple is Star Trek TNG, Linux is Classic Trek and Windows is The Final Frontier.

80’s Movies:
Apple is E. T., Linux is Cannonball run and Windows is Young Guns

Writers:
Apple is Thomas Pynchon, Linux is Jack Kerouac and Windows is Danielle Steele.

Finally, for my Linux crew:
Apple is Aria Giovanni, Linux is Angel Dark and Windows is Paris Hilton.

Feel free to outdo me on these in the comment section. Welcome to my site, I hope you like it.