[OT] Free software versus software idea patents

[Westley Martínez]

On Fri, 2011-04-08 at 01:41 -0500, harrismh777 wrote:
> Steven D'Aprano wrote:
> > Just like Python, Apache, and the Linux kernel. What are you going to do
> > to punish them?
> 
> What do you mean 'just like"....?    They are nothing alike.
> 
> (which is why the community is upset by sone, but not the others: hint)
> 
> The punishment? ... withdraw support and use of the project as well as 
> continue to aggressively support activism in all areas of freedom for 
> computer science, including but not limited to the following:
> 
> 1) I, nor my family, will ever purchase another Microsoft anything, from 
> anyone, connected in any way, nor for any reason. Microsoft gets no more 
> money from me, ever.
> 
> 2) I do not use non-free software at any level nor for any reason at any 
> time regardless of pain or inconvenience.
> 
> 3) I work hard to advocate for free software alternatives to proprietary 
> software at all levels... including bios and firmware.
> 
> 4) I help to fund free software initiatives, choices, and development; 
> conversely I refuse to fund (in any way) proprietary software 
> initiatives and projects.
> 
> 5) I educate the public in my sphere of influence for freedom and 
> freedom choices, including the software engineering venue, and whenever 
> possible persuade users of non-free software and Microsoft collaborative 
> software to use only free software and only frameworks that are removed 
> from Microsoft direction and control.
> 
> 6) I actively advocate with vendors of free software at all levels to 
> drop non-free software from their distros and to similarly punish 
> Microsoft collaborative software initiatives and projects. (networking, 
> communication, education, awareness training)
> 
> 7) I write lots and lots of letters... to computer distributors, 
> software houses, &etc., with the message of freedom; a plea for the 
> openness of a free society and sanity in the marketplace of ideas. I 
> make my marketing intentions clear to vendors who would like me to spend 
> my dollars with them ( cards, drivers, printers, cameras, comp hardware 
> desk, notebook, netbook, others) clearly indicating that their products 
> must be open, not require Microsoft proprietary drivers, and be free 
> from non-free software and firmware.
> 
> 
> Freedom isn't free... you have to fight for it... always.

Why should a business listen to you? You're not gonna buy any software
anyways.