Richard Stallman offensive remarks on Steve Jobs death
I love free software, and Richard Stallman has done much to advance it, but this time he’s really gone too far.
From his blog:
“Steve Jobs, the pioneer of the computer as a jail made cool, designed to sever fools from their freedom, has died.
As Chicago Mayor Harold Washington said of the corrupt former Mayor Daley, “I’m not glad he’s dead, but I’m glad he’s gone.” Nobody deserves to have to die – not Jobs, not Mr. Bill, not even people guilty of bigger evils than theirs. But we all deserve the end of Jobs’ malign influence on people’s computing.
Unfortunately, that influence continues despite his absence. We can only hope his successors, as they attempt to carry on his legacy, will be less effective.”
I can’t speak on behalf of the entire open source community, but I can say that Richard Stallman certainly does not on this point.
My quick take:
Apple, under Jobs leadership, built some great products. They weren’t free (like beer or speech), but they moved the industry forward. Would it have been even better if they were free? Sure. But that’s a different world. I’m glad that folks have the freedom to make great software which is free and great software which is not. “Freedom” can be its own tyranny.
Love to hear your thoughts…
— Max
Max Schireson's blog 
Asshole!
Soutien total a Stallman et sa subtilité
Lesson one about how to shit the world.
Want to eat the Apple ?
Buy the soul of Steve Jobs on the macintosh free app store.
I love the diversity of opinions out there even if I don’t agree with all of them.
If RMS is subtle, I’m not sure what would be in-your-face.
— Max