Stallman; awesome, delusional, cool?

[monsterstack]

I see an awful lot of folks around here who take a dim view of the idea that software should be free (libre) for moral reasons, and use it purely for pragmatic reasons. But maybe that's just me noticing people who disagree with me more often. Anyhow, I wondered what people think about Stallman. Is he a visionary, a mad man, a pretty cool guy who doesn't afraid of anything?

[HappyFeet]

Stallman; awesome, delusional, cool?

All of the above.

[t0p]

Most people here use non-free stuff, whether software, codecs, silly little ipods, so it would be hypocritical of them to preach about Freedom.

That doesn't stop some folk though...

[gn2]

Is he a visionary, ~snip~, a pretty cool guy who doesn't afraid of anything?

Yes.

[chucky chuckaluck]

until he starts wearing clothing that's made completely out of natural fabrics, it's hard for me to take his positions seriously.

[koshatnik]

He is, as much as the people he rails against, every bit as much of a zealot.

Life is made of choices that are shades of grey, not black and white. I wish people would learn and understand this, Gates, Balmer, Jobs, Stallman, Torvalds... etc.

[Sef]

Moved to recurring discussions.

GNU/Linux would not exist without his vision.

[k2t0f12d]

GNU/Linux would not exist without his vision.++

I wouldn't say fearless, though. Stallman frequently mentions his fear, even expectation, of failure. All the more courage to promote the ideas he promotes.

[Sublime Porte]

Legend, enough said.

[SunnyRabbiera]

I respect Stallman, but I dont agree with everything he says.
Foe me proprietary software is fine as long as those who code for it maintain a good product.
Like Opera, which I think is probably the best non OSS software on the market as the company behind it pays attention to its users.
If more proprietary software worked like Opera then I think the thoughts about non OSS.
Companies like Microsoft and Apple really give non OSS a bad name, software patents are a real bane and a real pain.
I more side with Mark Shuttleworth actually, and I think sees that proprietary software can be used for good.

[Sublime Porte]

I dont agree with everything he says

I don't think anyone ever agrees with every single thing someone says, so that's not surprising. But, I can tell you this, we wouldn't even be here discussing this if it weren't for RMS. There'd be no GNU/Linux without him, and probably no concept of free/open source software (use of this terminology is something I disagree with him on too, but doesn't mean I don't respect him immensely for his founding contributions).

[RiceMonster]

I understand what he's done for GNU/Linux, but I really don't agree with most of his viewpoints.

[k2t0f12d]

Foe me proprietary software is fine as long as those who code for it maintain a good product.No matter how good it seems, it is not possible to prove the "goodness" of software that does not come with the four freedoms up front.

I understand what he's done for GNU/Linux, but I really don't agree with most of his viewpoints.Which viewpoints? Are the views you disagree with to do with software? If there are several you dislike, then, at least name the most objectionable position that Stallman represents and the a reason why you disagree with him, otherwise, how on earth can someone have a conversation with you about the way you feel?

[GOfree]

visionary, hero...

a coding John Henry and software Cassandra

[Sublime Porte]

I understand what he's done for GNU/Linux

What he's done for GNU/Linux? He wasn't just someone who came along and contributed a lot to the project, he founded it. He was the instigator of the entire free/open source movement. He also wrote many of the GNU utilities (which most users experience as "Linux").

[starcannon]

+1 too all of the above.

And to add my .02, we couldn't have GNU/Linux without his(Stallman's) dream; but, on the other hand, we want/need some commercial software, and sometimes that means the software is closed source. I believe there is miles of room for both Open and Closed source software within the GNU/Linux world. I will also say that so far when given a choice, I generally prefer the closed source versions of the softwares I use as opposed to their Open Source "equivalents". GPU Kernel Modules, Flash, and Java just too name a few.

I think at the start of the day one has to use what works for one; and avoid getting into the head space where everyone must do it one's particular way. I like Closed and Open software, some people don't, /shrug, no skin off of either of our backs; that is, unless one wishes to take my needs as a personal afront to one's own idealistic notion of the world.

I try to live along the "Perfect is the Enemy of Good" policy, I fail at times to do so, but its what I aspire towards.

GL out there.