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On Monday 26 March 2007 13:48, Aaron Trevena wrote: > > When I started this organisation with Alex almost 10 years ago, I > didn't envision it being a home for free software police, which is how > you're coming accross. > > I saw it as somewhere to get help, support and discuss stuff. This > thread falls under the last topic, and isn't what the LUG is all about > IMHO. > > I think we're succeding if we get more people to use more linux and > free software - if somebody is using my or anybody elses free > software, whether it's on linux or windows, that's a cool thing. > > Ideological purity has it's place, and it's never in the mainstream, > it's leading by example, without being preachy or fascist. > > cheers, > > A. > Like many others, I am following this "discussion" and had, until now, resisted the urge to contribute. Just thought I would add my support for the views of Aaron and a couple of others who seem to be offering a sensible viewpoint. This GLUG seems to be quite polarized - the FSF camp and the rest. Whatever the FSF think, the majority of users call their system Linux, run both free and non-free software and do not concern themselves with the politics of their choices. The dcglug is, as was mentioned in an early posting to this thread, quite off-putting to many - both new and seasoned users of Linux, which is a shame. Aaron mentions the aims of the lug when formed - and they are what I suspect most people expect. Healthy debate is one thing, rabid fanaticism is another. Whilst I respect the views of the fsf supporters, I believe they are actually counter-productive in their quest to convert all users to free software with their attitudes towards the majority. My own views were covered extensively in a thread some time back, but for those who missed them, I, like several others on the lug am happy to use non-free software if it does what I need and the alternatives are not suitable for me. And that is the point - suitable for me. gnewsense may work fine for Matt, but not for me - I can't play 3d accelerated games for example with that system. I recall reading somewhere a while back as to the fact that there was a vote regarding the name of the lug which resulted in the G being added. Perhaps we seriously need to consider a similar vote to rename the group back to dclug? Does the inclusion of G indicate that we are all FSF stalwarts? Just a thought. Regardless, if these discussions result in the loss of potential converts to (GNU/) Linux, then that would be a great shame. Maybe it would be possible to have a seperate mailing list for "political" discussions withmaybe a seperate subscription list - so the free/non free debate can be mulled over without putting off those potential members who visit the main list? Mark -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html