Hi, This is in light of the current discussion to promote Gnu/Linux/Free Software in India. Microsoft uses the FUD..The Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt propoganda to suppress any form of free software.
What we could do here is to spread FUD about illegally using proprietary software. How? Many users don't even know that they are doing something seriously illegal when they use proprietary software without a license. They need to be educated about this, maybe by setting up a few examples. When that happens I believe that users would think twice before choosing software that they are expected to pay for. And suddenly free software would be *the thing*. People knowing about it would be in demand.
My point is that by enforcing license rules more stringently (which can be done at the government level) free software would have a lot to gain and we as people using free software should back people trying to enforce license policing. Not only that, I believe we should encourage(help?) them.
This way there would be Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt in the mind of a prospective(illegal) user of proprietary software and we will have used M$'s stategy against them in the interest of our community. What say guys? Do you see the point?
Though this may sound rather inflammatory, I believe it is important and the time has come that we take a step of the sort. We can make a start, by lets say not co-operating with people using proprietary software. We can talk about making a legal choice and asking people to either pay for a licensed copy of proprietary software or using free software (which would be legal). What that means is that if you own a copy of , lets say M$ Windoze, refuse to share it. And ofcourse if you can,
However, I haven't been able to put this point in a manner that would be more conducive to a body like the government and I'm expecting someone on this list will, though it is rather late. It is important that the government see it this way. We can only spread the FUD.The government can enforce it.
I hope people on the list see my point ciao abhijeet
abijeet sez <<<<
This way there would be Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt in the mind of a prospective(illegal) user of proprietary software and we will have used M$'s stategy against them in the interest of our community. What say guys? Do you see the point?
I believe Free Software has enough power in itself to shine through the darkness of proprietary software. So we need not cross over to the dark side (read M$ and it's cronies) and use their lowly tactics to win over people. I think people are wise enough to see our point. So i don't see why we have to stoop low and use M$ 's tactics to make people aware of the power and flexibility of Free software. Also I believe we have missed out on one point. People who build their solutions on Linux need not be locked onto one vendor. They can just hire someone who has a knowhow of linux and with the appropriate skills and get their work done in the case that they can't do it themselves. That is, in case ur vendor ditches you, you are not stuck and can always get help from somewhere Let us leave M$ and their cronies tactics to them. However, we can certainly educate people about *piracy* of Software. This reminds of RMS's words. <quote> "They compare the benevolence of sharing software with our neighbours, friends and relatives to the equivalent of the crime of looting ships at sea." <unquote>
--- vinayak hegde : )
and remember : David killed Goliath with a slingshot and not a spear.
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abhijeet -
vinayak hegde