Hacker News Reader

Comment by ajross | Hacker News Reader

This had to be one of the most depressingly naive perspectives on OSS I've seen on this site. It's really just an issue of trading money for convenience for you? Even granting that you're analysis is 100% correct, it's morally suspect. Your saying that now you've got yours, to hell with all the people who can't afford it or don't have access.

Really, you need to think this through a little more carefully. This is just embarrassing.

View on HN

People buy computers to solve problems, not advance causes. It's not a zero-sum game like the FSF believes. I own Apple products but also use a ton of free software, as well as software that I've paid for. Fundamentalism doesn't help anyone.

Still, what if you can solve your problems and support a worthy cause, just with some inconvenience from time to time? Isn't it worth the inconvenience to support a worthy cause?

What's embarrassing is that you believe access to computers and software is some sort of basic human right. It is most certainly not. You and I have no more moral obligation to ensure free and fair access to software than we do to ensure free and fair access to electron microscopes.

So, go take your "free software" ideology and shove it up your backside. How dare you lecture me on morality, you insolent, self-righteous gas bag.

Such a hateful post. I feel sorry for you.

Some people do not believe that society would be better if everyone had access to basic needs. Food, shelter, and ability to improve their status in the world. Infrastructure like roads, math, and software to take a few examples helps to create those basic human right.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com