Right. Sorry, I misrepresented the facts. Let's not get GNU, the FSF and the GPL all mixed up. So what's next? Are you going to use the "RMS does not represent free software, he's just a looney!" argument so often invoked when his weird behavior is put forth as an example of what's wrong with open/free software?
You may rationalize all you wish, but there's no mistaking the fact that this looks bad for GNU, the FSF and RMS himself. Period.
I'm convinced that there are fewer UNIX users and more Windows users on Linux than ever.
Oh, I'm sorry Mr. 1337. Am I intruding in your little world?
LOL! I hope everyone knows that "Miguel de Icaza" is a troll that apparently gets his kicks from trying to impersonate the real Miguel de Icaza. Just read his journal if you have any doubts.
Stallman alienating the very people who make his dream possible? Wow, that's a first.
So let's see, there's Linus, the whole BK mess, Miguel de Icaza, etc. Do you write GPL software? Do you fear you're next? You are, if you're successfull and you don't play nice with the FSF.
If you think you can build such a system, apply for a grant
Hello sir. My name is Mahmoud Albin-Ahmed, and i am from Kentucky. I would like to have applied for grant to developing wonderful system like echel... er, life so i can sear... er... serve my fellowing americans. i am havening wonderful oportunity.
In the dog-eat-dog world of tax preparation software, there's nothing worse than being assaulted by a product made down the hall from you - which fits in an entirely different niche.
Worse fate than death, I tell you.
In the meantime, Intuit does have competition from H&R Block and a few others.
Actually, it's not at all appropriate when they're talking to *me*.
Well OK, but now you're talking about entitlement. You might be entitled to better treatment from the guy on the other side of the phone, but maybe he doesn't know that.
he dissects the way reassuring, blandly obfuscated PowerPoint slides can be used to slip through statements that might cause justified concern if spoken in plain language
Which would not be the case if the slides had been created with Agnubis or Impress. That bit of editorial spiel would have read "he clarified points made in the presentation slides".
I'll go the "it works for me" route here that folks tend to like so much. I have never had a single solitary problem with Microsoft support. Their first-tier support people are trained to deal with Joe Sixpack calling about the monitor not working. So "is your computer turned on?" question is quite appropriate. Once you get past that level (and assuming you know how to) there's absolutely none of that. As with any other support-for-a-fee service, you need to drive the conversation, not the other way around. If you're good at that, you'll be OK.
If such a tech had said something along the lines of "...if you were an idiot and did 'x'..." I would have taken it in the spirit it was offered.
I'm sure that in some Microsoft context you were guilty of stupidity and they pointed it out, you'd be howling to the four winds about how "M$ is teh sux". I find it hard to believe that you would go so far as to contact a support rep before you make sure you're not indeed doing something stupid.
No. Two reasons. First, the rep was just forwarding me information that's available in the public domain. I had no quarrel with that - rather with them using that as documentation handed out to paying customers. Second, I don't have the time or humor to do something like that, especially since my claim to fame was having bought a boxed RH set instead of downloading it. Had I been an enterprise customer, I'd probably would have made a fuss about it. But even then, I have trouble imagining what I'd get from doing that at all.
but given your track record as somebody rabidly pro-MS and often anti-Linux
This may come as a shock to you, but I'm not "rabidly" pro or anti anything. I like Linux and use it every day. I do however use the right tool for the job. Linux isn't always the solution and Windows is not always the problem.
tell me what support does MS give that say redhat does not?
I once had a RH "support rep" send me an email with an attachment with technical info on how to make a particular IDE controller card work under RH6 that included the phrase "if you were an idiot and did 'x', then this is how you blah blah blah...".
Slashdot Mirror
Bwahahaha. u r00lz!
Thanks, I was thinking the same thing.
Choosing the GPL for your license does NOT
Right. Sorry, I misrepresented the facts. Let's not get GNU, the FSF and the GPL all mixed up. So what's next? Are you going to use the "RMS does not represent free software, he's just a looney!" argument so often invoked when his weird behavior is put forth as an example of what's wrong with open/free software?
You may rationalize all you wish, but there's no mistaking the fact that this looks bad for GNU, the FSF and RMS himself. Period.
I'm convinced that there are fewer UNIX users and more Windows users on Linux than ever.
Oh, I'm sorry Mr. 1337. Am I intruding in your little world?
Perhaps Slashdot should do an interview with the Star Wars kid. To further the emotional scarring =)
Nice try, asswipe.
So let's see, there's Linus, the whole BK mess, Miguel de Icaza, etc. Do you write GPL software? Do you fear you're next? You are, if you're successfull and you don't play nice with the FSF.
Hey, cool. Maybe I should submit this as a story. Surely the eds won't reject this one?
I'm going to order some t-shirts:
Hello sir. My name is Mahmoud Albin-Ahmed, and i am from Kentucky. I would like to have applied for grant to developing wonderful system like echel... er, life so i can sear... er... serve my fellowing americans. i am havening wonderful oportunity.
thanks you and regards. plz send money soonest.
Opera Software ASA
Waldemar Thranes gate 98
NO-0175 OSLO
NORWAY
In the dog-eat-dog world of tax preparation software, there's nothing worse than being assaulted by a product made down the hall from you - which fits in an entirely different niche.
Worse fate than death, I tell you.
In the meantime, Intuit does have competition from H&R Block and a few others.
Yep, basically.
believe, not 'belive'
impressive, not 'impressing'
It provides, not 'Provides'
your, not 'ur'
probably, not 'propably'
Quick, someone email Taco! Oh, wait. Nevermind.
The Developers section has not been updated with decent stuff for a few days.
Isn't there anything interesting going on?
Welcome to Slasdhot.
If you think it's easy, why don't you give it a try? [...] If you don't like it, you should demand your money back.
Now I understand why a friend of mine calls /. "too arrogant for its own good".
Aside from being amused by your apparent lack of grammar skills, I also feel vaguely insulted. Weird.
Well OK, but now you're talking about entitlement. You might be entitled to better treatment from the guy on the other side of the phone, but maybe he doesn't know that.
You must be confusing that with my much celebrated lack of patience towards stupid people.
What, the 'YRO' about students being sued by the RIAA?
Yes they are. Period.
Mwahahah. It must be nice to live in a world where everything is so simple.
Your reponse was appropriately moderated.
Shades of "neener neener". Quite appropriate.
Which would not be the case if the slides had been created with Agnubis or Impress. That bit of editorial spiel would have read "he clarified points made in the presentation slides".
If such a tech had said something along the lines of "...if you were an idiot and did 'x'..." I would have taken it in the spirit it was offered.
I'm sure that in some Microsoft context you were guilty of stupidity and they pointed it out, you'd be howling to the four winds about how "M$ is teh sux". I find it hard to believe that you would go so far as to contact a support rep before you make sure you're not indeed doing something stupid.
No. Two reasons. First, the rep was just forwarding me information that's available in the public domain. I had no quarrel with that - rather with them using that as documentation handed out to paying customers. Second, I don't have the time or humor to do something like that, especially since my claim to fame was having bought a boxed RH set instead of downloading it. Had I been an enterprise customer, I'd probably would have made a fuss about it. But even then, I have trouble imagining what I'd get from doing that at all.
but given your track record as somebody rabidly pro-MS and often anti-Linux
This may come as a shock to you, but I'm not "rabidly" pro or anti anything. I like Linux and use it every day. I do however use the right tool for the job. Linux isn't always the solution and Windows is not always the problem.
Hope that helps.
I wonder if RMS will call them up and demand they call it GNU/Linux. I mean, if they're suing, use the correct nomenclature!
I once had a RH "support rep" send me an email with an attachment with technical info on how to make a particular IDE controller card work under RH6 that included the phrase "if you were an idiot and did 'x', then this is how you blah blah blah...".
Would not being insulted count?
Tell that to ActiveState.
I'm vaguely sure this is a brand new affront to RMS, but I just can't put my finger on it.