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Free Software Foundation hates the iPhone, proposes ugly alternative I love the Free Software Foundation. I give it credit for coming up with the world's best open-source license (GNU General Public License) and for holding the line on software freedom when many, including myself, stray at times. We need someone reminding us that freedom matters. It may not always matter, however, in the way the FSF declares. Or, rather, the FSF should probably come up with a better alternative to proprietary software before putting up a sickly contender, as it has in a recent post castigating the iPhone for its use of DRM and other proprietary technology. In place of the iPhone the FSF holds up one of the ugliest phones I've ever seen, with a UI that only a mother could love: The iPhone is an attack on very old and fundamental values - the value of people having control over their stuff rather than their stuff having control over them, the right to freely communicate and share with others, and the importance of privacy .... [OK, point well taken.]

The iPhone ... is also a tracking device, and like other proprietary GPS-enabled phones, can transmit your location without your knowledge .... [Er, yes. That's what I'm hoping, actually.] Of all the technology people use that could be turned against them, this is one of the most frightening possibilities ....[ Growing increasingly paranoid, aren't we?] Apple's DRM system monitors your activities and tells you what you are and are not allowed to do. What you are not allowed to do is install any software that Apple doesn't like. This restriction prevents you from installing free software - software whose authors want you to freely share, copy and modify their work. OK. Fine. And so what does the FSF propose? This (see right). The Neo Freerunner. Try again, FSF. It's OK to have a developer-centric interface for developers, but it's anathema in the consumer market where phones like the iPhone and Freerunner compete. No one beyond the most ardent FSF devotee is going to use the Freerunner, nor should they. How can you in good conscience foist this aesthetic abomination on consumers? Make a beautiful and free (as in freedom) phone and rightfully request that the market consider it. But don't promote freedom that comes in this guise.
Free Software Foundation hates iPhone, offers alternative ugly

I love Free Software Foundation. I give it credit for coming from the open-source license (GNU General Public License), as well as for holding the line on software freedom, when many, including me, at times stray. We need someone reminding us that freedom matters.

This may not always matter, but in ways FSF said. Or, conversely, FSF must come up with a better alternative to proprietary software before build sickly contender, as was the recent post castigating iPhone for its use of DRM and other proprietary technologies.

In place of iPhone FSF holds one of the ugliest phones I have ever seen, with the UI, that only a mother could love:

IPhone is an attack on the very old and fundamental values - the values of people who have control over their belongings and not on their belongings, having control over them, the right to communicate freely and share with others, and the importance of privacy .... [OK, point well taken.]

IPhone ... Also tracking device, and, like other property GPS-enabled phones, can make your place without your knowledge .... [Er, yes. That's what I'm hoping, in fact.] All people use technology that could be turned against them, this is one of the most frightening possibilities ....[ increasingly paranoid, do not we?]

From Apple DRM system tracks your actions and tells you that you are not allowed to do. The fact that you can not do is install any software that Apple does not like. This limitation does not allow you to set free software - software whose authors want you to freely exchange, copy and modify their work.

OK. Fine. And so what makes the FSF to offer? This (see right). Neo Freerunner. Try again, FSF. It's OK to have a developer-centric interface for developers, but it is anathema to the consumer market, where phones and iPhone Freerunner compete. Nobody FSF for the most ardent fan is going to use Freerunner, and they should not. How can you in good conscience aesthetic abomination foist this on consumers?

Make a beautiful and free (as in freedom) phone and rightfully request that the market for its consideration. But do not promote freedom, what happens in this guise.

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