Re: [rms@gnu.org...] + Viet Linux-FAQ

At 23:23 31.01.2003 -0500, you wrote:
-------------------------
> I made a while ago a presentation with OpenOffice's "Presenter" (I
> think,
> that was the name). Then tried to look at it with PowerPoint, and it was
> horrible. Edited in PowerPoint and tried to view it in Presenter,
> again: no
> use. In the end I had to look at the widest audience: PowerPoint.
>
>That shows the depth of our disagreement. I would never use a
>non-free program merely because many others use it too.

If I host my presentation only in a non-MS compatible format (file format
or visual format, i.e. it does not display properly), then people will
think, that OpenOffice can not work properly together with their existing
MS documents, will have an aversion to switch, and a prejudice against any
future version of OpenOffice, which might do a better job.

In practical terms, it would be an absolute dis-service.

Yes, I could have done the whole job two times: Prepare one file in MS
format, and another one in OpenOffice's "Impress" format. A lot of work,
for nobody besides the principle. Everybody who does not have MS (close to
nobody in Vietnam) still could use the HTML version....

>If we let that make our decisions, we have two strikes against us.
>
>I think this is the real reason why you prefer the term "open source":
>because your position is an open source position.

No, my position is a purely practical position. Maybe the Open Source
approach is the more practical one. I don't care about it. I gain nothing,
if I insist on fundamentals, but nobody switches.

>You yourself don't refuse to use non-free software on ethical grounds.

What ethical grounds here? Whom do I harm? I don't pay a dime to MS. I have
no intention/need to study or hack an office application. I will copy it to
whomever wants it. Why should I - as a pure user - choose a solution which
is inferior in my situation, just because the philosophy of the producers
is a more noble one? Which SW I am using does not affect either producer.

>No wonder you don't think it is important to teach others to do so.

When time is running out, then you'd better act first, before teaching.

Stefan

To facilitate co-ordination regarding the introduction of OSS SW in Vietnam

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