richard stallman

Do you consider yourself to be fairly familiar with the Debian Linux distribution?

The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) took aim at 14 consumer electronics companies for violating GPL licensed products.

This is the largest lawsuit of its kind ever filed. This lawsuit uses what Richard Stallman calls "tivoization" as its defense.

Do you need a reality check? Freedom isn't free. You have to work hard, and possibly even die, for it. Fortunately, free software doesn't require you to sacrifice anything but restrictions.

Unfortunately, the powerful marketing machines constantly bombard and tempt you with semi-clever TV commercials, discount offers, inexpensive upgrades or feature hype in order to restrict your freedom.

Purchasing proprietary operating systems and applications restrict you without cause. Actually, that isn't 100 percent true.

There is a cause.

I was talking with my friend, Jason Perlow, yesterday and he told me that I should back off of the free software rants because he feels that I'm entering the gray edges of freakdom.

We laughed about it but it made me think: When does a strong belief in something become extremism? I've had two conversations with Richard Stallman about free software specifically and freedom generally.

My conclusion is that there's a fine line between freedom and freakdom.

I had the honor and pleasure of speaking to Richard Stallman a few days ago while he was in New Zealand on a speaking tour.

I had been in an email conversation with him over several days asking about which software programs he uses and I finally connected with him for some clarification and more details.

So, if you've ever wanted to get the scoop straight from the man himself, you'll want to listen to the podcast.