Lies and FUD about Ubuntu by Mandriva boss?

[Upayavira]

Peter Garrett wrote:
> On Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:32:03 -0500
> Eric Dunbar <eric.dunbar at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>>Elements in the open source community do quite a good job of diving
>>into FUD themselves. How often does Microsoft get lambasted for things
>>that aren't factually correct, or are hypocritical by pundits and by
>>zealots (and by non-zealots).
> 
> 
> The  trouble with  this line of argument ("We do it too, so that
> invalidates our point") is that it doesn't relate to the issue itself..
> The fact that some people do this kind of thing should not have anything
> to do with our assessment of the quality of the work that their group or
> community produces.
> 
> Non computer-related example: A lot of people don't like Rudyard Kipling's
> imperialist opinions, but would still agree that he wrote some fine books
> and poems.
> 
> I don't like Microsoft's imperialist tendencies, but I acknowledge that
> once in a while they produce a decent program or two ;-)
> 
> We all know that there is hypocrisy in every community, company, or other
> group, and if we are honest with ourselves we recognise that we all fall
> into that particular trap at times.
> 
> On the other hand, yes, of course - we should try to argue from actual
> examples and facts, rather than from blind faith or zealotry.
> 
> Eric Dunbar <eric.dunbar at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>>The whole truth isn't
>>particularly interesting since it's nuanced and weakens your
>>arguments. 
> 
> 
> It may not be particularly interesting. I don't think it weakens
> arguments. Arguments based on fallacy are by definition weak, even if
> presented in plausible syllogisms. If your premise is untrue, the
> whole thing falls into a heap. 

I don't think that is the kind of 'weak' he was referring to. He was
meaning 'weak' in terms of 'actually having to resort to backing up your
argument'. The opposite of this would be a strength that is more akin to
 hubris than a strength based upon a strong foundation to ones own
perspectives.

> Pamela Jones on Groklaw regularly publishes
> long transcripts of legalese that frankly make my eyes glaze over: - but
> the fact that the truth is there, accessible to all, makes a certain
> company in Utah squirm, and provides incontrovertible evidence.

Upayavira