Free Software Fanatics

By Jim on December 11th, 2009

Over at Desktop Linux Reviews, I recently wrote a review of Mandriva Linux 2010. For the review I picked the “free” version of Mandriva Linux, which meant it had no proprietary applications or codecs installed.

In the review, I wrote this:

For this review I picked the Mandriva Linux 2010 (Free) version. This version contains 100% free software and weighs in at a chunky 4.3GB when you download it. Now please understand that I am not a “free software fanatic” type at all. I have no problem using distros that have some proprietary software blended into them but I like to use one that doesn’t have that stuff every once in a while.

My use of the term “free software fanatic” really rubbed one of my readers the wrong way, and he responded with this, er, rather blunt reply:

I use free software and I participate in three projects (including my own) which are GPLed. I am not a fanatic and none of the dozens of people I collaborate with are. Yet we are to believe they are everywhere.

It is NOT a religion and being treated like [an idiot] by mental midgets trying to say the ‘in’ thing is getting a tad annoying.

I have 3 college degrees, I’ve based my whole life’s work on science, on facts and hard work . . . I dont like some dolts insinuating that my mental capacities are diminished because OF THE LICENSE I USE.

I want my work to be accessible to ALL who want to use it… as long as they play nice and share with others. THAT is the only condition I ask they respect. You don’t have to pray to some idol, you don’t need a special diet or getting a body part lopped off to join. You can use my code however you like, but if you distribute it THEN you have to share the source code.

It is a logical decision which suits my upbringing as both my parents are research scientists who have collaborated with colleagues around the world for over 3 decades.

Learn the proper use of language and stop insulting people. . . .

That passive aggressive BS is annoying from the free software haters and even more so from those that try to laud it like you did.

Good article for a great distro but the facile insult at the start ruined it all.

Oops! I certainly never intended to insult anybody with my choice of words, so I apologized in the comments section. But, in a way, I’m very glad that this issue came up as I think it’s one worth exploring.

In the review, I wrote this:

For this review I picked the Mandriva Linux 2010 (Free) version. This version contains 100% free software and weighs in at a chunky 4.3GB when you download it. Now please understand that I am not a “free software fanatic” type at all. I have no problem using distros that have some proprietary software blended into them but I like to use one that doesn’t have that stuff every once in a while.

My use of the term “free software fanatic” really rubbed one of my readers the wrong way, and he responded with this, er, rather blunt reply:

I use free software and I participate in three projects (including my own) which are GPLed. I am not a fanatic and none of the dozens of people I collaborate with are. Yet we are to believe they are everywhere.

It is NOT a religion and being treated like [an idiot] by mental midgets trying to say the ‘in’ thing is getting a tad annoying.

I have 3 college degrees, I’ve based my whole life’s work on science, on facts and hard work . . . I dont like some dolts insinuating that my mental capacities are diminished because OF THE LICENSE I USE.

I want my work to be accessible to ALL who want to use it… as long as they play nice and share with others. THAT is the only condition I ask they respect. You don’t have to pray to some idol, you don’t need a special diet or getting a body part lopped off to join. You can use my code however you like, but if you distribute it THEN you have to share the source code.

It is a logical decision which suits my upbringing as both my parents are research scientists who have collaborated with colleagues around the world for over 3 decades.

Learn the proper use of language and stop insulting people. . . .

That passive aggressive BS is annoying from the free software haters and even more so from those that try to laud it like you did.

Good article for a great distro but the facile insult at the start ruined it all.