[Sugar-devel] [IAEP] FSF attitude to xo and sugar

[Caroline Meeks]

Is the author local to Boston? Maybe we should take him over to the GPA and
show him a room full of Windows machines all running open software.  Perhaps
seeing it for himself will
help, the authors certainly seem to care about what kids are using for
their education.

On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 9:02 AM, Walter Bender <walter.bender at gmail.com>wrote:

> On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 8:57 AM, Tomeu Vizoso<tomeu at sugarlabs.org> wrote:
> > On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 14:08, Bill Kerr<billkerr at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:18 PM, Bert Freudenberg <bert at freudenbergs.de
> >
> >> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> On 28.08.2009, at 11:33, Bill Kerr wrote:
> >>>
> >>> > n Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:20 AM, Walter Bender
> >>> > <walter.bender at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> >> === Sugar Digest ===
> >>> >> 4. The recent FSF campaign condemning the use of Windows 7 in
> >>> >> education (See http://windows7sins.org/) imputes OLPC in complicity
> >>> >> with Microsoft. It is disappointing that the FSF is not making any
> >>> >> constructive arguments in favor of free software alternatives to
> >>> >> Windows such as Sugar on GNU/Linux, which is currently shipped on
> >>> >> every machine distributed by OLPC.
> >>> >
> >>> > http://windows7sins.org/#1
> >>> > When I first saw it I interpreted that page as contrasting the xo as
> >>> > a positive alternative to Windows (and still think that is a valid
> >>> > interpretation)
> >>> >
> >>> > When I read what walter wrote above later I was shocked to realise
> >>> > that it could indeed be interpreted the way walter has, as well
> >>> >
> >>> > On revisiting I can't see any clarifying text there
> >>>
> >>> You need to click the "Learn more" link next to the XO picture.
> >>>
> >>> Citing from that concoction:
> >>>
> >>> "As a result, it is expected that the main effect of the OLPC project
> >>> -- if it succeeds -- will be to turn millions of children into
> >>> Microsoft dependents. That is a negative effect, to the point where
> >>> the world would be better off if the OLPC project had never existed.
> >>> The project tragically became yet another example of Microsoft
> >>> exerting its control to ends harmful to society's freedom."
> >>>
> >>> It's tragic how they undermine their allies' efforts in their blind
> >>> zealousness.
> >>
> >> I see it now, thanks Bert. I agree, it's far too zealous and purist. I
> agree
> >> with Luke too.
> >> ( I did click on that link before but it sometimes seems to just reload
> the
> >> same page)
> >> I do give the FSF an annual donation so I'll write to them and complain.
> I
> >> thought the over zealousness came more from some FSF supporters than the
> >> leadership but perhaps I was wrong.
> >
> > What I think is bad about the campaign is that they say that the OLPC
> > project is a vector for Microsoft when the truth is that it's being a
> > great vector for free software, regardless of what their leaders wish
> > or have said in the past.
> >
> > From reading the FSF campaign, people are supposed to think that
> > Microsoft is evil and OLPC bowed to their pressure and abandoned their
> > principles. This, I think can have much less impact that if people
> > learned that they can help us so more children have a great learning
> > experience with free software.
> >
> > So I wouldn't ask FSF to stop bashing MS, I would ask them to
> > publicize those projects that can have a big impact on their mission.
>
> That is the point I was trying to make. I don't really care what FSF
> does re Microsoft, but they are missing out on an opportunity to
> promote a learning project that is aligned with FLOSS by ignoring
> Sugar.
>
> -walter
>
> > Regards,
> >
> > Tomeu
> >
> > --
> > «Sugar Labs is anyone who participates in improving and using Sugar.
> > What Sugar Labs does is determined by the participants.» - David
> > Farning
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Sugar-devel at lists.sugarlabs.org
> > http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/sugar-devel
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Walter Bender
> Sugar Labs
> http://www.sugarlabs.org
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>



-- 
Caroline Meeks
Solution Grove
Caroline at SolutionGrove.com

617-500-3488 - Office
505-213-3268 - Fax
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