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Behind the Doors of the Free Software Foundation

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the what-would-you-say-ya-do-here dept.

Linux.com has an interesting look at the inner workings of the Free Software Foundation (FSF). "The purpose of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is probably obvious from its name -- but what does promoting free software mean in terms of everyday activity? Examining the roles of the organization shows how complex the FSF's advocacy role has become. It also reveals the range of services available to the free software community, and helps to explain how such a small group has had such a major influence on computer technology. As a 501(c)3 charity in the United States, the FSF is run by a board of directors. The current board includes FSF founder and president Richard M. Stallman and long-term member Henry Poole, but, in the last few years, new faces have appeared on the board."

9 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Thanks! by just_another_sean · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a user of Free Software for about 10 years now I would just like to say that I really appreciate the efforts of the FSF. No matter how much RMS is bashed and doubted he sticks to his ethics and invariably the projections he makes seem to come true to at least some extent.

    Long live the FSF.

    --
    Creationist Textbook Stickers Declared Unconstitutional by CowboyNeal
    1. Re:Thanks! by houstonbofh · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As a user of Free Software for about 10 years now I would just like to say that I really appreciate the efforts of the FSF. No matter how much RMS is bashed and doubted he sticks to his ethics and invariably the projections he makes seem to come true to at least some extent.

      Long live the FSF.

      I disagree with many of RMS's positions, but he has been vital to the open source cause. Sometimes we need extremists, and he is a good one. :)

  2. Importance of FSF by nobodylocalhost · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It is hard to grasp the importance of FSF, because one cannot see it until it is taken away. Free software is a good way to improve society as a whole just like the concept of a wheel, People use those free software all the time just like how wheels are incorporated in most of our technologies. Can anyone imagine what are the ramifications of a tightly controlled licensing scheme on wheel technology based fully on economics?

    --
    Where is the "Ignorant" mod tag?
  3. Live Free Or Die by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes I know, that's a Unix saying.
    Since I was old enough to comprehend building computers, I have been running Linux. Having open source has directly affected my life. Thanks FSF and the OSS community for giving me interest, and the biggest part, being able to have development tools and code that I can learn with and from. With most commercial products costing ALOT of money, Open Source gave me the ability to have corporate sized products, for no cost. And Microsoft fans out there I think realize this too. Anyone in the computer world at some point recognizes what FSF and the bunch has done to the technology based world.

    oh shit, is this post about Steve Ballmer? shit, I'll delete all my bootleg M$ software, I PROMISE!!

  4. Free as in... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The purpose of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is probably obvious from its name -- but what does promoting free software mean in terms of everyday activity?

    I think they have something to do with free beer or speech.
    Free something. I can't remember. It's Friday and I've been drinking.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    1. Re:Free as in... by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny
      The line 'free as in speech, not free as in beer' always struck me as some very poor marketing, for two reasons:
      1. Lots of people will argue against free speech in certain cases (e.g. slander and libel), but very few people would argue against free beer.
      2. After a few pints of free beer, free (although possibly slightly slurred) speech is pretty much guaranteed.
      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  5. Steve.....Steve.... by BitterOldGUy · · Score: 5, Funny
    Steve...Steve...Steve...Steve...calm down, please. Put that chair down. Ok? It's a nice rainy day here, it's a beautiful campus, and we're THE rulers of the World. No problemo.

    I know, I know, Stallman has the "moral high ground", a full head of hair, and everything, but what does it matter? You're filthy rich and he's a peasant selling GNU toys and t-shirts on the internet.

    It's OK. Shhhh, sshhhh, it's OK...sh......

    Lullaby, Lullaby, Lullaby,...shhh...

  6. Re:Stallman pushed to the sidelines by larry+bagina · · Score: 5, Funny

    Those that can, fuck. Those that can't, write a text editor.

    --
    Do you even lift?

    These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.

  7. Re:Behind the DOORS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tepee sounds about right. No Gates, no Windows, Apache inside...