Ha'aretz article regarding RMS

[Arik Baratz]

[this email was also sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] I sent it from the wrong address, so it didn't get to the list. This is a resend.]

Hello Richard, linux-il members.

(Un?)Fortunately I am ill, so I had some free (as in beer) time and
translated most of this article back into English. If someone can give a
copy to RMS on Tuesday, it could be nice, I know he was interested in
the content of this article. I won't come, I'm afraid.

Terminology:

I use f/b for "Free as in free beer" or the Hebrew "HINAM" and f/s
for "Free as in free speech" or "HOFSHI" in Hebrew.

I didn't translate the entire article verbatim, I'll try to give the
general idea in most. I will present ideas even if I don't agree with
them, so don't shoot the translator...

Stuff in square brackets represent either difficulties in translation or
my own opinions or comments.

Title: "f/s is entirely open"

subtitle, verbatim: Tens of millions of people today use computer
software written in the spirit of f/s software by Richard Stallman.
Thousands of volunteers inspired by him have developed the operating
system Linux, today being the only alternative to Microsoft's Windows.
An interview with the greatest idealist revolutionist of the computer
age, prior to his visit to Israel.

by: Yuval Dror.

verbatim: "19 years have passed, 19 years, and they still don't
understand that f/s is not f/b". When Richard Stallman says "them" he
means us. Stallman doesn't understand how the world doesn't realize most
software we use ruin our lives. They ruin our lives, he says, because
they make us betray the basic human morality: Help thy neighbor. That's
why all non-f/s software, shut down all companies who write them, fire
all employees that write them.

verbatim: this sounds extreme, but stallman is far from being a rogue or
insignificant in the flourishing western software industry. Tens of
millions of people use today software written in his spirit. Induced by
his ideology, thousands of people have developed the Linux os, today
being the only alternative to Microsoft's Windows. Although Stallman's
radical opinions sound eccentric, Stallman has a deep influence on the
software industry, an influence which depth reminds the one of
Microsoft's founder, Bill Gates.

verbatim: Stallman, a 49 y/o American, is the founder and main preacher
of the social-technological FSF (Free Software Foundation), urging to
write and use f/s software. His speech is slow, and he emphasizes every
word. Attempts to interject a question are completely ignored. People
who met him say that the gaze in his green eyes is fixating; It doesn't
let you break his gaze, doesn't leave you until he's sure you have
understood the message he is trying to convey. His appearance is also
out of the ordinary: He grows a thick beard and his hair reach his
shoulders.

next 4 paragraphs tell the printer driver anecdote, emphasizing the
difference between f/s and f/b.

next paragraph defines the 4 'freedoms' that qualify software as f/s
software: Can be used for any purpose, can be modified (which implies
access to the source code), can be redistributed and the ability to
distribute modified versions.

subtitle: All the wealth in the world.

verbatim: When Stallman finish specifying these freedoms, he keeps
quiet. At this stage the listener realizes that all of the software he
uses every day (the Windows OS, the Word word processor, computer games
and other pieces of software) are far from complying with the Stallman
definition of f/s software. Stallman knows he will have to face
disrespectful stares and dismissing gestures.

next comes a discussion about why software should be f/s. The author
explains that the cost of copying the software is negligible, but the
world has found a way to sell software and hence software mustn't be
copied. the following dialog is verbatim:

Yuval: There's an economic problem with the model you're suggesting.
Stallman: Economy shouldn't interest us. Business shouldn't interest us.
The real issue is our way of life. We shouldn't let business issues
determine our life's quality.

Yuval: In practice you are urging people to copy software, to do a
pirate act that effects the software companies economy.
Stallman: Why does it hurt their economy? They claim that every time I
copy software they loose money. They don't lose money - they just don't
earn money. If they imagine they'll get money from me, but eventually
don't - did they loose anything? There are people, like Bill Gates, that
think they are entitled to all the wealth in this world. In their mind's
eye they move the wealth to themselves, and complain that reality
doesn't follow suit. Someone who sells mineral water in bottles can
complain that I'm drinking tap water. He can get angry, because he lost
money. The question is whether his anger is acceptable, socially logical.

Yuval: You have recently said programmers don't need to be rich. Don't
you think this kind of statements keep people away from you?
Stallman: That may be, but I'm still right. Programmers need to make a
living, but there's no commandment that says that if you write software
you should get rich. I do not accept people's claims that our movement
is strange just because it doesn't allow them to be rich. I reject the
claim that it is a given that some people who know how to program will
get rich. We need to respect those who have money, but if the right, f/s
way of living hurts their wealth, it's a marginal issue.

Yuval: Is there something mean/evil[same Hebrew word] in being rich from
writing software?
Stallman: No. If someone wrote f/s software and later on got rich from
supporting it, or installing it for his customers, I have no problem
with him. I don't say it is forbidden to be rich. I maintain that people
have to respect freedom and community. They have to respect my freedom to
help other people.

Yuval: And why doesn't commercial software respect your freedom?
Stallman: Say 'non-f/s software', not 'commercial software' (he
reprimands). non-f/s software is a system that prevents you from helping
your neighbor. Hence, it is evil in the most basic way. Give some
people a materialistic advantage and explain to them that they can keep
this advantage for as long as they don't share it with other people.
Imagine a world where it is illegal to help your neighbor. This is the
world the software companies are trying to create. Our movement says:
Share the f/s software with your neighbor. Help him - no one is allowed
to stop you from helping your neighbor. We don't say you have to share
your software with your neighbor, you don't have to give him a copy -
but you can if you want to.

Yuval: Companies like Microsoft, that employ 6000 programmers that
write software would say your way of life would prevent them from making
a living, prevent them to pay, to employ their programmers.
Stallman: Then I say to Microsoft: do not hire 6000 programmers - they
are writing software that divide the world in two, they write software
that hurt people. Their software should't exist at all. Microsoft
doesn't do the world a favor by hiring those programmers. I would be
content if their employment was terminated. If a programmer finds
himself in a situation where he must choose between writing non-f/s
software and unemployment, I prefer that he will be unemployed. He is
causing more damage to the world by helping writing non-f/s software.

Yuval: The meaning of what you say isthat programmers can't make a
living from writing software.
Stallman: Not true. There are many economical models that support f/s
software. One is writing it and installing it in a commercial
environment. It's clear that the business would be glad that the person
who writes the software is the one who installs it, modify it and supply
maintenance. Another model is charging money for distribution: You
distribute f/s software but charge money. No one says you can't do that,
as long as you know those who bought the software can do the same. It
pushes you to give very good service, so people will opt to buy from
you. A third model is selling f/s software in the condition that it is
run in an environment of other f/s software. If your client combines
your software in a non-f/s software environment, he has to pay you extra.

Yuval: And you think the software giants would be convinced by your
arguments and start writing f/s software?
Stallman: I don't know. I think in the case of Microsoft there's no such
chance. Microsoft is run by people who have billions of dollars and it's
still not enough. I don't understand what goes through their heads. Bill
Gates must be brain-dead. He doesn't realize there are other things to
do but money.

subtitle: the wrong name

Some background about Stallman follows: School, IBM, MIT, Harvard, and
the printer driver incident.

Now comes a linux blurb, where linux kernel is described as 'a code
package that pieces the code parts that Stallman and his friends wrote
to a complete functioning system'. Stallman's requirement that it's
called GNU/Linux is mentioned and explained, vision versus hobby. Linus
doesn't support the f/s software ideology. Stallman: We have significant
differences, I don't foresee us bridging them'.

subtitle: after old Hilel [from the Jewish religion]

Linus is said to belong to the Open Source movement, and Stallman
explains the differences between open source and f/s software. moral
reasons versus practical reasons.

On to the GPL. The GPL is described in Stallmans' greatest achivement.
Copyleft. Mentions the viral characteristics of the GPL without saying
'viral'.

Stallman: I didn't believe this will happen. I know GPL was the right
way to go, but I didn't know how far it will go. I started my project
because I reached the conclusion that writing f/s software is the only
thing worth doing in the software world. I realized this is the only
thing that will allow me to make the world a better place.

Yuval: You have been accused of having opinions which are stuck in the
sixties, that you are actually missing another period in time, a
nostalgic that refuses to grow up.
Stallman: I was never a part of the sixties movement. In the sixties
people detested technology, thought it'd ruin the world. I like
technology, I like programming and like software. I'm just worried about
the ways you would use them: I want people to control technology rather
than technology controlling people. It's true that I, like people in the
sixties, speak a lot about freedom and cooperation. But the flower
children [I don't know if the English term is right, for sixties
hippies] didn't invent these terms; these ideas came to the world long
before the flower children [again] recycled them.

Yuval: Nevertheless, don't you think that in the 21st century, your
opinions are incongruent with the capitalistic system?
Stallman: Old Hilel said: 'If I am not for myself, Who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?' [if not now, when?]. Extreme
capitalism [lit: puts on his flag] the first part of the sentence, but
in the FSF we claim you cannot "be for yourself". I don't think anyone
wants to live in a society where extreme capitalism rules.

subtitle: the list of enemies

Stallman agreed to speak in the IBM convention after they added the GNU
to GNU/Linux. Cited saying "I don't know about the Israeli software
industry, because don't follow the software industry. It doesn't
interest me. The question of f/s software is not about industry, is not
about economy. It's a social question".

Next paragraph Stallman presents its views about the geopolitical state
in Israel. He "has a lot of criticism" about Israel's conduct, but "have
no solution". Stallman is said to be specifically bothered by curfews.
He presents a very leftist [in my view] opinion and says "You are
systematically destroying all norms related to human rights". [I
strongly resent that]

verbatim: In his personal web site (www.stallman.org) Stallman portrays
himself as someone seeking love. "I'm an Atheist, some say intelligent,
unusually interested in politics, science, music and dancing. I'd be
happy to know a woman with varied interests that appreciates happiness,
truth, beauty and justice over success". However, even in his ad
Stallman clearly shows what his priorities in life are: "My 19 y/o child
- the f/s Software Foundation - fill up most of my life, a fact that
does not leave much time for other children, although I do have room for
a woman's love". Even if he has room in his heart, it is not clear where
he will live with his love, considering he lives in the FSF offices.

Yuval: After 19 years of activity, don't you get tired?
Stallman: "No, someone has to do it. I confirm that for me it is no
longer fun. For me, writing software is fun, exchanging email is fun,
and I have nearly no time for that anymore. I had to learn how to be
polite to people, although it's not easy for me, it's against my
nature". for the first time in this conversation he allows himself to
giggle. "All in all I'm content - I can see how I change the world".

Yuval: Aren't you offended when people call you an anarchist, a
communist, crazy sometimes?
Stallman: People who oppose the idea of f/s software can say all sorts
of bad things. They will pass harsh criticism. But I don't care about
that. I'm proud in my list of enemies. I'm proud that I've won the
disagreement of some of the well known people in the world. It all comes
to the question of what way of life we want choose. It's not too late to
change our mind.

-- Arik



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