Slashdot Mirror
Ask Jamie Love, Consumer Technology Activist
Jamie Love is head of the Ralph Nader-founded Consumer Project on Technology [CPT], one of the first groups to advocate Linux use in government and corporate settings. CPT also works to loosen or remove patent restrictions that raise the end user cost of technologies ranging from computer software to AIDS medication, and against intellectual property laws and treaties that could hamper new technology development. Jamie is one of the most respected technology lobbyists in Washington, even though his entire annual budget probably wouldn't buy a month's worth of lunches for Microsoft's PR firm. What's it like in the lobbying trenches? What can you do to help? Jamie's the one to ask. One question per post, please. 10 of the highest-moderated ones will go to Jamie by email, and we'll run his answers as soon as he gets them back to us.
How do you feel about the "gay-rights" movement,
and anal sex especially? I'm more interested in
the librating and community-building aspect
of the Internet. What about the liberating
aspect of cheap commodity hardware? I'm thinking
of more of a human-rights perspective here.
Fr. Engels.
I am very interested in squashing the companies that patent technology for their own profit desires. I mean, how dare a corporation fulfill their responsibilities to their shareholders when there are shiftless people out there in need of handouts from the productive.
Do you believe that your project will help or hurt the Worldwide Communist Movement and shouldn't companies that provide life enhancing products at a profit to themselves have their C-Level management executed for greed?
I'm from a poor family. Unemployment is high in my area and moving away costs more money than I will have for another couple of years, at least. I had to work crappy jobs to two years to be able to afford my own computer, and another six months to upgrade it so that it is capable of running Mozilla.
Each week, I'm lucky to able able to pay my bills and afford enough food. Thankfully I currently have a contract to produce code for some local companies - new software, updates of older software. This gets me by, and I am able to save a little.
Recently, there have been talks of moving to OSS instead of employing me. In talks, those involved in the decison freely admit that my software has so far been exactly what was required. Quick, relatively bug free, and cheap. They accept that current OSS alternatives are simply not up to the same standard. Yet, newer members of the decison making committee have heard speeches by people (activists) such as yourself who convince them that OSS can solve all their problems, even ones they don't have.
It ispossible that I could be living on the streets within months due to lies told by OSS advocates who are blind to the failings of OSS. How do you look into the mirror in the morning knowing that you ruin the lives of hard-working coders like myself?
Why is it that the loudest supporters of Open Source have never struggled to survive?
Stallman - comfortable middle class existance. Even slept in offces for years. That's called squatting when I do it.
ESR - rich family. big contracts with linux companies for doing nothing.
You - millionarie father.
Slashdotters - rich american white kids mostly
You have never wanted for anything in your lives yet you dare to tell people who have to slave every single day that theys hould give away the only thing they have.
I am not anti-opensource but I think taht attempting to change one aspect of society causes more problems that it can ever solve. Instead you should look to reform all of society with OSS being just one of the cogs in the gearbox (I read that expression and I hope it fits). Only that way will you not cause pain to those like me.
2256023th POSTUS, BEEOTCHII!!!!
I've got my fingers crossed!
pleeeeeease?
(sorry, you asked for it)
If you are a good programmer, you can write your own ticket. Even in today's flat economy with all the layoffs, there is still a dearth of programmers.
Take your lies and shove them up your ass, please, only do it somewhere else.
Dear Jamie
What is the best piece of pussy you've ever had?