Because Debian does not meet the strict requirements of the FSF. It includes non-free blobs in the kernel and the FSF claims Debian “steers” users with recommendations for installing non-free plugins or codecs. Some “contrib” packages, while free themselves, exist primarily to load separately distributed proprietary programs. There are also references in the Debian documentation and official channels that suggest obtaining non-free software for functionality.
While I think it would be too hard for most people to be completely free of proprietary software, atleast he is practicing what he preaches. It is a nice goal to someday get there, but I don’t think its realistic at the moment.
Kind in mind, though, he is 72 and I don’t think he even codes anymore. His computer use probably only consists of mostly Emac (for all text based work) and a web browser (which I read he has a very particular method that involves something similar to wget, lynx, and konqueror). His computer use is very light (I imagine) compared to many Linux users.
While I aspire to and appreciate what the FSF advocates, I don’t see a realistic path for myself as a Linux gamer. The proprietary firmware limitations alone would keep you on 2015 hardware.
I’m not just talking about the free software stuff.
He’s on the record blaming victims of Epstein and chastising a developer for stepping back for the birth of his child, amongst a host of other crazy things.
I knew about the Epstein thing and it is pretty offensive but unsurprising. What is surprising is what I just read about the developer in 2005 who mentioned taking time off for the birth of his daughter, essentially implying that contributing to Emacs was a more valuable contribution than having children. That is messed up.
Even worse, apparently there were also old blog posts where he discussed the legalization of sex with minors and child pornography, arguing that certain acts should be legal “as long as no one is coerced” and are only illegal due to “prejudice and narrow-mindedness.”
He’s not a great guy. I appreciate the work he has lead with free software, but he’s said some pretty screwed up stuff.
Why not just Debian without non-free, at that point?
Because Debian does not meet the strict requirements of the FSF. It includes non-free blobs in the kernel and the FSF claims Debian “steers” users with recommendations for installing non-free plugins or codecs. Some “contrib” packages, while free themselves, exist primarily to load separately distributed proprietary programs. There are also references in the Debian documentation and official channels that suggest obtaining non-free software for functionality.
edit: typos
I saw an interview where he was saying he objected to Debian adding non-free blobs so he had them put on GNU’s shit list.
Dude is cuckoo for coco puffs.
While I think it would be too hard for most people to be completely free of proprietary software, atleast he is practicing what he preaches. It is a nice goal to someday get there, but I don’t think its realistic at the moment.
Kind in mind, though, he is 72 and I don’t think he even codes anymore. His computer use probably only consists of mostly Emac (for all text based work) and a web browser (which I read he has a very particular method that involves something similar to wget, lynx, and konqueror). His computer use is very light (I imagine) compared to many Linux users.
While I aspire to and appreciate what the FSF advocates, I don’t see a realistic path for myself as a Linux gamer. The proprietary firmware limitations alone would keep you on 2015 hardware.
Source: https://kottke.org/15/05/how-richard-stallman-does-his-computing
I’m not just talking about the free software stuff.
He’s on the record blaming victims of Epstein and chastising a developer for stepping back for the birth of his child, amongst a host of other crazy things.
Truly crazy stuff.
I knew about the Epstein thing and it is pretty offensive but unsurprising. What is surprising is what I just read about the developer in 2005 who mentioned taking time off for the birth of his daughter, essentially implying that contributing to Emacs was a more valuable contribution than having children. That is messed up.
Even worse, apparently there were also old blog posts where he discussed the legalization of sex with minors and child pornography, arguing that certain acts should be legal “as long as no one is coerced” and are only illegal due to “prejudice and narrow-mindedness.”
He’s not a great guy. I appreciate the work he has lead with free software, but he’s said some pretty screwed up stuff.
Sources:
https://blog.codinghorror.com/spawning-a-new-process/
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/17/761718975/free-software-pioneer-quits-mit-over-his-comments-on-epstein-sex-trafficking-cas
Guys like this always go to bat for pedophiles, wonder what he says about queer people.
I heard that before
Easier?