Hi,
>>"Marcus" == Marcus Brinkmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Marcus> When you have a free client, the objection against the
Marcus> non-free server may drop in certain areas (ccoperations etc).
Marcus> A: "Hey, I heard Linux is great, can we use it for our desktop?"
Marcus> B: "Sure."
Marcus> A: "But we have NT servers..."
Marcus> B: "Linux can use them."
Marcus> A: "Great, let's do it."
Marcus> The alternative could be:
Marcus> A: "Hey, I heard Linux is great, can we use it?"
Marcus> B: "Yes, but we have also to change to a Linux server, because of MS
Marcus> proprietary protocol."
Marcus> A: "Ok, no problem."
Heh. No.
A: But I can't do that!. I have an installed base of propreitary
servers and clients, and, moreever, the management want's that. I
hate the prop software, and I want to run Linux on my box.
B: Tough. Linux does not do that -- and it won't ever
A; Too bad. I could have had 500 boxes all converted -- but tough for
Linux then. At least MS listens to its corporate users.
(Really happened in a major copany, BTW).
Marcus> So, it can do harm in the sense that it does not lead to
Marcus> maximum gain. But I agree that it could also be the other way
Marcus> round, that not having any support for a particular
Marcus> proprietary protocol can yield to a situation where Free
Marcus> Software is not used at all. In this case, we have lost
Marcus> nothing.
We have lost the opportunity to get a foothold in yet another
area. I think it would be arrogant to assume that we have won the
battle, and that we should start coercing people just like MS does.
>> e) Explain to me how having a fee client implementation is any
>> dofferent from the early days of GNU, when everyhing needed an
>> non-free OS to run on.
Marcus> We are stronger now.
But not quite enough. When Linux has 25-30% of the desktop, we
may be able to coerce people like microsoft deos, "Do it my way or
else". I don't think we can do that yet. I also don't think we should
do it ever.
I really would not like to think we would ever think we are
strong enough to start working agsainst giving the users
functionality no, and to piss off writers of DFSG free software.
Marcus> The question is if we can continue to get stronger
Marcus> indefinitely by embracing the proprietary world, or if it is
Marcus> time at one point to actively go against proprietary
Marcus> protocols and software patents. The other question is when
Marcus> the time has come if it is time to fight.
Right now I think we have a hrad enough time getting to the
desk top to start the fight.
manoj
--
People will buy anything that's one to a customer.
Manoj Srivastava <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <http://www.debian.org/%7Esrivasta/>
Key C7261095 fingerprint = CB D9 F4 12 68 07 E4 05 CC 2D 27 12 1D F5 E8 6E
