Re: Both DPL candidates: handling social conflict

[Mason Rice <mason.rice@chsd117.org>]

On 3/21/2014 8:42 AM, Filippo Rusconi wrote:
> On Fri, Mar 21, 2014 at 02:10:01PM +0100, Stefano Zacchiroli wrote:
> > On Fri, Mar 21, 2014 at 01:44:54PM +0100, Wouter Verhelst wrote:
> > > While I understand the question, I'm not sure this is very relevant.
> > >
> > > Yes, Debian is about promoting the cause of free software; and yes,
> > > actually *using* free software is a very good (first) way to promote
> > > its cause.
> >
> > I'll encourage everyone interested in these topics to read this, very
> > influential for me, essay by Mako:
> >
> >  Free Software Needs Free Tools
> >  http://mako.cc/writing/hill-free_tools.html
> >
> > Also, +1 to Paul's mail. The DPL is a rather special case. I certainly
> > don't fancy Debian being slashdotted due to the DPL using non-free
> > software publicly, at the very least as long as suitable Free
> > alternatives exist.
>
> Undoubtedly
> +1
>
> to Paul and Zack.
>
> Did we not *eagerly* endure, fifteen years ago, highly unstable
> software (October GNOME, anyone ?) because we thought that by using it
> we were going to unavoidably better it, for the cause of software
> freedom?
> Nowadays Free Software has become so usable, Neil must have an
> explanation for not using it to post messages. Let him tell us maybe
> that he had to borrow a computer... He will certainly have a story to
> tell.
>
> Ciao,
> Filippo
As a former OS X user (still on MacBook hardware, but running Debian) I
can confirm that there are few halfway decent mail clients for OS X. I 
distinctly
 remember sifting through man pages into the wee hours of the morning just
to compile Mutt. We should hold a soft spot for those stuck working on OS X
(though I am absolutely open to helping such users get a working Debian 
installation!)

(note: I'm away from home so the best I can do is Thunderbird)

--
Cheers,
Mason

"Food for thought: if a Milli Vanilli falls in the
forest, does somebody else make a sound?"