[Ilugc] [Fwd: [Fsf-friends] Re: DotNet]

[Sivasankar Chander]

> 
> Subject: [Fsf-friends] Re: DotNet
> Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 06:48:28 -0400
> From: Richard Stallman <rms at gnu.org>
> Reply-To: rms at gnu.org
> 
>  >Re the request by Microsoft to speak at the Hyderabad usergroup on 
>  >DotNet,
> 
> I am not sure what the "Hyderabad usergroup" means, but anyone who
> advocates freedom should not offer a proprietary software developer a
> platform to present a practical discussion of a proprietary software
> product.
> 
  While I respect RMS and his opinions on this matter, I must
disagree with this particular opinion. There's no harm (and in most 
cases, some benefit) from listening to alternative viewpoints, even if
it conflicts with the views held by the majority of the constituency
it is addressed to. There's always something to learn - they should
allow the MS rep to speak at the LUG. Having a closed mind reveals
weakness. Is the GNU philosophy so weak that it's going to lose adherents
as a result of a single presentation from the other camp? I sincerely
hope not.

  At the very least, it's worth knowing what their strategy is wrt
to FLOSS, so as to be able to counter it more effectively (vintage
Arthashastra).

-Siva