Why Software Freedom? Recommendations?
It's been almost 10 years since I was introduced to the concept of free software. I've been out of practice and struggling lately to explain it to friends and acquaintances though, when it comes up. I find gnu.org/philosophy great for more technically-minded or philosophically-minded folks, but don't always feel confident sending that to other folks.
Is there another website/resource you'd recommend as a great summary case for software freedom from first principles for a wide audience? What's your favourite intro/defence of software freedom?
@balleyne@identi.ca drawing on the free beer, free speech distinction I normally present my interest in it as "I came for the free beer, liked it, and now I stay for the freedom"
Efraim Flashner at 2016-10-31T06:18:34Z
lnxwalt@microca.st, Blaise Alleyne likes this.
@Blaise Alleyne I don't necessarily feel like I have the magical answer for you, but people do seem to be a more conscious of privacy and security lately, and that their devices may be selling them out to the world's largest advertising companies. How about the "there's no privacy without free software" angle?
Ben Sturmfels at 2016-10-31T10:50:27Z
Blaise Alleyne likes this.
I do often start with privacy these days. Sometimes I feel like it works well. Other times I get the, "aren't you being a bit paranoid?" response. That's probably still the best starting point though...
@balleyne@identi.ca I start with "Your devices should obey you, not some company." And then head into privacy versus surveillance, focusing mainly on companies collecting data to help them sell unwanted ads (and directly selling the info for payment.
So far, my IRL contacts all think I'm a crackpot, but once they know about the relevant issues, it is entirely their choice how to respond.
lnxwalt@microca.st at 2016-10-31T23:06:19Z
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