Should the Linux Desktop Be "Pure?"

Posted by kdawson on Saturday July 12, 2008 @08:36AM from the debatable-points dept.

jammag writes "According to Matt Hartley, many Linux desktop users don't like to admit that there's scads of closed source code commonly used with the Linux desktop. Hartley points to examples like proprietary drivers, the popularity of Skype among Linux users (in preference to the open source Ekiga), and the use of Wine. He concludes that, hey, if the code works, use it — a stance that won't sit well with purists. But his article raises the question: is it better to embrace some closed source fixes, and so create a larger user base, or to remain pure, and keep Linux for the specialists?"

2 of 665 comments (clear)

Re:Stupid question by pushing-robot · 2008-07-12 08:57 · Score: 3, Funny

Good.

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How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
Re:At least respect the purists. by bsDaemon · 2008-07-12 09:52 · Score: 3, Funny

GNU/Linux is the virtual America.
Does that make RMS the virtual Bush? Well, I guess they both have about 30% approval ratings among their own citizens and most of the rest of the world thinks they're nuts... so, yeah. I can see that.