The GNU/Linux User Show #13!
The GNU/Linux User Show #013 (MP3 -24.2MB 70min 30sec)
MP3:
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
OGG:
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
This week’s show consists of an interview I had with Richard M Stallman (RMS). Amongst other things, RMS is the founder of both the GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation.
This show presents an opportunity to learn a little bit about the heritage of GNU/Linux and some background about ‘free as in speech’ software.
GNU Project here
Richard’s homepage here
Guardian
article on RMS’s take on the EU Software Patent issue.
GNU Java Project
UTUTO: a GNU/Linux
distro that has only free software in it here
We’re now on Podcast Pickle! If you like the show, why not give us a vote? (link)
There is no contest question this show. It seems kind of ironic to give away a Windows enabler application on a show featuring RMS. There will be a contest this week though, stay tuned to the blog for your chance to win a Win4Lin license!
Show Forums: here
Kelly
Penguin Girl’s website: here
Intro voice by Bob Taylor
Productions: here
Intro/Outro music by
Mirror Shades: here
September 2nd, 2005 at 4:51 am
Hi there,
(first time writer)
I have been listening eversince your first show! Keep up the good work, I really enjoy the content you provide. Firstly I have to say I agree with the objectives of the GNU foundation in principal. But, RMS often shoots himself in the foot. I find myself agreeing with him and then he just comes out and rubs you up the wrong way. He is an aragant man at times with little time for people who dont know a great deal the GNU foundation.
And most people do associate FREE with beer before they do with freedom. 90% of users will not be altering any source code and submitting it back to the authors. So should you stop a user using non GPL software if it is not free as in freedom? Most people come to linux initially because it is free as in beer and something different/secure and unique to try. Anyway enough of my rantings thanks for producing a great show do keep up the good work.
John Mills
September 2nd, 2005 at 5:34 am
Hi John,
Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for stopping by the blog. Glad you enjoy the show - we have a lot of fun doing it.
I’m with you - I agree with the GNU rules of freedom in principal, but I have a hard time drawing a solid line from the ideal to real life. I know intellectually that it can be done, I just have no faith that it will be done.
I agree that the 4 freedoms don’t apply to everyone, but I also think that at least two of them apply to everyong: the freedom to run the application and the freedom to share it. I agree that developers are likley the only ones that would want to exercise the freedom to examine and modify it, but pretty much everyone will want to run it and a lot of people will want to share it.
Those are the freedoms that mean the most to me. I can share anything on my computer that I want with anyone I want because it’s all GPL’d (OK - there may be a few little bad apple applications on my machine - I haven’t vetted the entire thing).
I’m not a developer, but I can code and every now and again I do make a small mod to an application. That’s nice for me, but only because I have the knowledge to do so. If I had no idea how to code then that freedom would mean nothing to me. I would still want to run and share it though :)
I got into GNU/Linux for exactly the reasons you state: free as in beer, more secure, and the geek factor. Once the noise settled for me, though, I became interested in why so many people have spent so much time and so much money to make this thing. That’s when I stumbled across RMS, the GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation.
At the very least - it’s a fascinating concept…
Thanks again!
Jon