[FSF India] Re: [FSF-India] GNU/Linux in Schools

R Sai Kiran fsf-india@gnu.org.in
Fri, 3 Aug 2001 14:35:31 +0530 (IST)


Hi,

> and not utility or fancy features. As RMS says, If we set our eyes on
> a goal, and work towards it, we will finally (may take a long time)
> reach it. But on the way, if we see some temptations and change our
> direction, we will never reach our goal (which is freedom). 

<snip> 

> Please note that the goal of FSF and GNU project is not shutting down
> microsoft. So if we consider that it is bad to use Internet explorer,
> it is equally bad to use netscape communicator (not mozilla). 

	Well, I have a slightly different point of view here. I claim
that, you first get the people to start using the GNU/Linux systems, and
very soon, the whole *philosophy* behind the movement becomes clear to
them. The GNU + GPL is a rather new thing. We are in the initial phases of
a huge revolution to come. I believe, the best idea now is to get people
to start using GNU/Linux systems. I'm *NOT* supporting
non-"free" software. I'm just saying that, we'll give them the GNU
stuff. But, let's not pack the non-free stuff either. Probably, we can put
all the non-free software in a separate path, or, the second CD, if we
need to go for a 2-CD distro. 

	Please note, all I'm saying is we really need people to start
using GNU/Linux first. When I first started off with Linux, I had no idea
of the philosophy, just knew that it was free (in the free beer sense of
"free"). Over a short period of time after that, I came to know the
background stuff, the philosopy. And now, I'm pretty much in love with
it. It's the same with most people, I guess. I convinced one of my
Professors here in campus to start using GNU/Linux. Initially, I just gave
him a brief idea of the philosophy and told him that all tools he'd
require (like code-libraries etc.) are free. Once he started using it, he
really "felt" the difference. He advises students to use GNU/Linux these
days. 

> > Yes...the main purpose is to spread the philosophy. But,
> > we should'nt directly attack from the philosophy point. 
> Why >>attack<< in the first place? If people don't understand the
> word freedom, we can ask them to read their 10th std history text
> books. I once again stress that the mission is not to convert all
> windows users to GNU/Linux users. The mission is to tell people
> about FREE software and help them to start using FREE software.

	I totally accept. But, converting the Windows users to GNU/Linus
users is the first step in making them use FREE software. 

	Just my thoughts.

Regards,

Sai

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R Sai Kiran	http://www.che.iitm.ac.in/~ch98086