[ubuntu-uk] Free vs non-free drivers etc

[alan c]

Norman Silverstone wrote:
> :
>> On Thu, 2006-11-16 at 12:47 +0000, Norman Silverstone wrote:
>> > > Are you confusing free as in beer with free as in freedom? FOSS does not
>> > > have to be free as in beer!
>> > 
>> > I find this very confusing. If I buy an application to run in Ubuntu
>> > what sort of freedom is represented?
>> > 
>> > Norman
>> 
>> Free (as in software) means freedom, not money. 
> 
> < snip >
> 
>> If you don't have the source then the program isn't free - the Ubuntu
>> operating system remains free of course and the source can be downloaded
>> easily.
> 
> When I first changed to Linux I thought that I would be able to do all
> that I wanted to do on my PC without having to pay money for software.

I find I can do this - so far anyway, even though I would not have 
great objection to payment (although my income happens to be small 
now). I moved to linux because of poor quality commercial software 
which to add insult to injury, had me in a stranglehold!

> However, I soon came to realise that this was not the case.

could you explain more please?

> It was a
> wonderful experience to have an operating system which was regularly
> updated and which allowed me to use my broadband connection without the
> worry of viruses etc. So, if some enterprising person or organisation
> was prepared to develop and sell an application which ran successfully
> on a Linux PC, it is not unreasonable to have to pay for it.

I am with you there, but it is the lock-in which I would see as a 
warning sign. Businesses do not often intend to become a monopoly, but 
if it happens, how can they refuse?

> I think that the more people are prepared to accept that Ubuntu as an
> operating system is well worth having, even if it is necessary to buy
> some software, the greater would be the uptake of this free operating
> system.

Ubuntu with its energy and ethics - and Mark S's money - is a rare 
opportunity to focus the thinking of all semi-satisfied windrones onto 
- a real non techie alternative, with a developing, newbie friendly, 
community support network.

The normal 'Retail' and advertising environment we have causes people 
to reject any alien non retail item - plenty of reasons for distrust. 
Ubuntu is being 'marketed' in pseudo retail fashion. The Shipit CD 
packs are attractive, and Ubuntu shows signs of becoming a de facto 
'Brand'. And I am doing my best to help it along too.
-- 
alan cocks
Linux registered user #360648