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Stallman Says Cloud Computing Is a Trap

stevedcc writes in to tell us about an interview with RMS in The Guardian, in which he gives his views on cloud computing, with a particular focus on user access to data and the sacrifices made for convenience. "'It's stupidity. It's worse than stupidity: it's a marketing hype campaign,' he told The Guardian. 'Somebody is saying this is inevitable — and whenever you hear somebody saying that, it's very likely to be a set of businesses campaigning to make it true.'" Computerworld has a summary of some of the blogosphere's reaction to RMS's position.

19 of 621 comments (clear)

  1. Dear RMS by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 3, Funny

    We love you, we really do. But your delusional and increasingly demented ravings give all supporters of free software a bad name.

    And if you're going to represent the opinions of a large group of users like you do, would it kill you to buy a nice shirt and a razor?

    Yours

    The free software community.

    1. Re:Dear RMS by ozphx · · Score: 2, Funny

      This contrasting post carefully balances irony and humour to construct a single line masterpiece. While Mr Coward could have chosen the a trendy target of homosexuals, he went with the old classic negro target. A perfect balance to the simple elegance of the post.

      A classic post, if a little short. Four stars.

      --
      3laws: No freebies, no backsies, GTFO.
  2. Mod Parent Up!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't forget a shower!

    1. Re:Mod Parent Up!! by QuantumG · · Score: 3, Funny

      He's aquaphobic you insensitive clod.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    2. Re:Mod Parent Up!! by RiotingPacifist · · Score: 5, Funny

      nah he just doesnt trust that the water companies compile water from h2o and has to get the hydrogen and oxygen and compile it himself

      --
      IranAir Flight 655 never forget!
    3. Re:Mod Parent Up!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's the flouride. It's like DRM downloaded into your brain.

    4. Re:Mod Parent Up!! by Deaddy · · Score: 5, Funny

      He's aquaphobic you insensitive cloud.

      There, fixed for you.

    5. Re:Mod Parent Up!! by robthebloke · · Score: 2, Funny

      Don't forget to bring a towel....

  3. Video of the interview by vadeskoc · · Score: 3, Funny
  4. Re:Totally agree by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 2, Funny

    Gmail allows you to download your email via pop3 and imap. You can also set it to automatically all email to another account. There is no excuse not to have a backup of all your Gmail mail. This "it might suddenly vanish" argument is a strawman.

    Yeah, but what if a meteor hits your other account's server farm at the same time? Will you still be whistling Dixie then? I think not. Cloudbusters FTW.

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  5. Re:Totally agree by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 5, Funny

    I know it seems unlikely Google would just drop a service like that. Except that, well, they already have.

    Yeah. All those services that Google already has dropped are exactly like GMail. I remember the outcry when all those people lost all that data when Google Keyboard Shortcuts was taken off line. And who can forget the data armageddon that was the ending of Google Slideshow? It was like Y2K II. Yeah, Google shuts down services and leaves all your data high and dry all the time. Very insightful.

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  6. LEAVE RMS ALONE! by snikulin · · Score: 5, Funny

    How fucking dare anyone out there make fun of RMS after all he has been through.!

  7. Oops! by snikulin · · Score: 5, Funny
    Too short!

    Here's mine complete cry:

    How fucking dare anyone out there make fun of RMS after all he has been through.! He lost his aunt, he went through a divorce. He had two fuckin kids. His husband turned out to be a user, a cheater, and now he's going through a custody battle. All you people care about is... readers and making money off of him. HE'S A HUMAN! (ah! ooh!) What you don't realize is that RMS is making you all this money and all you do is write a bunch of crap about him. He hasn't performed on stage in years. His song is called "give me more" for a reason because all you people want is MORE! MORE-MORE, MORE: MORE!. LEAVE HIM ALONE! You are lucky he even performed for you BASTARDS! LEAVE RMS ALONE!...Please. ESR talked about professionalism and said if RMS was a professional he would've pulled it off no matter what. Speaking of professionalism, when is it professional to publicly bash someone who is going through a hard time. Leave RMS Alone Please... ! Leave RMS Spears alone!...right now!...I mean it.! Anyone that has a problem with him you deal with me, because he is not well right now. LEAVE HIM ALONE!

  8. It's a trap! by Yakasha · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Upload all files to google apps."

    "May the force be with us."

    "We have to be able to get some kind of access to our files up or down."

    "Well how could they slip that in the EULA if they're required to ... to notify us of changes? Break off the upload! The EULA still gives them full access!"

    "I don't see that in the EULA, are you sure?"

    "CANCEL UPLOAD! ALL USERS CANCEL UPLOAD!"

    "Take evasive action. Green group, stay close and re-check section 57."

    "Admiral, we have additional insane EULA requirements in section 47."

    "IT'S A TRAP!"

  9. Re:Totally agree by Pollardito · · Score: 5, Funny

    Preach on, brother. This is the exact same reason that I have it automatically forward all my Gmail to three other backup Gmail accounts, you can never be too safe.

  10. Re:Sig Troll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Libertarian n. An anarchist that wears a bow tie.

  11. Re:The Cloud is pretty good for some businesses by BronsCon · · Score: 4, Funny

    storing all your data in a clod

    Is it an insensitive clod?

    --
    APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
  12. Re:I'll never understand the RMS haters by glenstar · · Score: 3, Funny
    I mean, I don't see RMS' version of cloud computing that does a better job than the commercial options available now.

    It's coming! Immediately after Hurd is complete. Uh oh! According to the Hurd website: "The latest release of GNU Mach is version 1.3, 2002-05-28." Oops.

  13. Re:Totally agree by Timothy+Brownawell · · Score: 2, Funny

    Given the current economy, where can we find an archive-quality bank?

    Try your local pawn shop.