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RMS on The Connection (NPR show)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the probably-too-late dept.

fiji writes "RMS is on the NPR show The Connection. If you are in Boston the NPR station WBUR is 90.9 and the show is on now (from 11AM-Noon) and again this evening 9PM-10PM. You can call in if you want to this morning and you might get on the air. As soon as the show is finished this morning it will be available online "

1 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. RMS on NPR by Lord+Greyhawk · · Score: 2

    I am in boston, listening to the Connections program. Running Summary:

    1) Interviewer likes to hear his own voice far too much. Knows reatively nothing and admits it.
    [RMS opens with source code versus recipe analogy.]
    2) RMS made it sound like the Unix compatable "GNU" operating system (we know it as linux) was his idea. [ Linus has yet to be
    mentioned. ] [note: HURD was not what he is talking about]
    3) He is plugging GNOME a great deal.
    4) He is listing free application types that are being developed. (Word Processor, Power Point like, encryted mail, etc)
    5) Caller to show: Says he uses free software (BIND, SENDMAIL). Caller says he differs with the extemism of RMS. Discussion follows... Caller is plugging quality of free software (written by users to be useful) and proprietary software (written to be sold and make money).
    6) New Caller (Gary): calls RMS "a national treasure".
    -=-=-=-
    6) continued: Discussion of microsoft, monopoly. RMS points out all proprietary software companies, not just microsoft, are bad.
    7) RMS compares copyright software laws (some as proposed by Clinton) to the old USSR information policies.
    -=-=-=- Commercial break -=-=-=-
    (Interviewer talks alot)
    (7-15 million people use the "GNU System")
    8) distracted side discussion on DOW high.
    9) RMS (not exact quotes): Free software is neither for nor against business. Lends itself to support business. Mentions other kinds of companies dealing with free software.
    10) RMS makes elegant example on how free software helps one get bugs in software fixed.
    11) Caller (Matt on car phone): Uses gcc, meantions "Linus Torvald's Linux". Matt writes both free and for profit software (for his living). Says there is a place for both types of software. (e.g. says proprietary compilers are better due to huge $$ investment). RMS defends by saying in 1991 gcc was better.
    12) Caller (Jodi - libertarian capitalist): Challanges the judgementalism of RMS. RMS compares paper compaines pouring poison into a river to the pollution from the lack of good will due to proprietary restrictions (very very paraphrased). RMS discusses how he made money while writing free software.
    13) Another Gary calls in: Incoherent run on first sentence. Cites flight simulator? Cannot understand his point in 10 words or less. RMS finially says "GNU/Linux system".
    14) "Free speach, not fee Beer" emphasied again.
    15) Back to copyright system in general in the USA. RMS points out the constitional wording on copyright, and its historical context (only people with printing presses were really restricted at the time).
    16) Caller (Lisa - linux user (redhat), but not a programmer) : Interviewer asks if she is a genius (He mentioned this point before, you must be really smart). Lisa mentions it crashes less. [RMS plugs GNOME again]. Lisa mentions Linux runs faster. RMS corrects her, she is using "GNU/Linux".
    17) www.gnu.org mentioned
    -=-=-=-=-=- End of program -=-=-=-=-=-