iPad Is a "Huge Step Backward"

An anonymous reader writes "FSF's John Sullivan launches the Defective by Design campaign and petition to rain on Steve's parade, barely minutes out of the starting gate. 'This is a huge step backward in the history of computing,' said FSF's Holmes Wilson, 'If the first personal computers required permission from the manufacturer for each new program or new feature, the history of computing would be as dismally totalitarian as the milieu in Apple's famous Super Bowl ad.' The iPad has DRM writ large: you can only install what Apple says you may, and 'computing' goes consumer mainstream — no more twiddling, just sit back, spend your money, and watch the show — while we allow you to." What is clear is that the rise of the App Store removes control of the computer from the user. It makes me wonder what the next generation of OS X will look like.

Comments

Re:I've said it before and I'll say it again

[ruiner13]

Please never reference Ann Coulter and vagina in the same sentence unless it takes the form of "Ann Coulter is a big, cavernous vagina full of hot air". Thanks.

Re:Should we give (l)users control?

[blueZ3]

Why is this modded down? Not only is the parent accurate for RMS and the FSF, but for Slashdot as well. Never in the history of mankind have so many complained so loudly while doing so little to make it right.

Re:Dear FSF

[ahabswhale]

Beck is more extreme than EVERYONE. Even sensible conservatives admit that. If you cannot see that, I fear for you. The guy is a complete fruitcake. And Palin has taken the spotlight from Obama numerous times.

Re:I've said it before and I'll say it again

[BitZtream]

Ann Coulter's vagina

This is a popular misconception. She doesn't have a vagina, which she makes up for with angst.

Re:I've said it before and I'll say it again

[IICV]

Technically, after the male-to-female surgery, you are considered to be a woman for all intents and purposes no matter what chromosomes you have.