On Thu, 20 Apr 2000, John P. Looney wrote:
However, I'm not sure a trade show that has a "no charity" idea is where
Debian should be. That show in particular is a "Making money from Linux"
one.
Then it's even more critical that Debian is there, to ensure that the
PHB's have at least some exposure to the idealism/community thing.
It would be nice if the "linux world" was a community driven one. But
it's not - it's a community that has a lot of intellectual property, a lot
of mindshare, and a lot of valuable expertise. Of course people are going
to try and make money off that.
making money isn't wrong. I'm not arguing against money.
But Linux is a 'Greater Good' type thing. And if a Business wants to
get involved then they *must* understand this. either they 'get it'
already, or else we *must* educate them:
"Yes you can make money from this!! But don't forget what this is
about....."
But Debian whinging that a company that's trying to make money out of
linux should give it something free is whinging.
they havn't whinged.
The problem is not that they're not getting anything. The problem is
that at the very least the organisers don't "get it". Even worse, it
seems this show is intent on ignoring the ideals, and just presenting
linux as the latest way to be a hot IPO.
It's like a disciple of jesus preaching to pagans about how
christianity is better economically than paganism, because of say
Christ's amazing power to turn a couple of loaves into a thousand,
without even mentioning "do unto others as you would have them do
unto you".
It's missing the point totally.
(and god dammit it's the MOST IMPORTANT point!!)
They should just point
out that they are not going, because it's not really there thing (which it
isn't).
debian havn't whinged. Users have whinged maybe, not debian.
Kate
regards,
--
Paul Jakma paul at clubi.ie
PGP5 key: http://www.clubi.ie/jakma/publickey.txt
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