Jan:
The FSM should be an instrument to communicate to others rather then to ourselves.
I think that the direction of the FSM is a matter for the FSM. It seems to be a developer-orientated magazine, which is probably useful. I do not share your belief that most developers have ample accurate information about free software. Why do you think there is so much GPL FUD even from the ranks of GNU/Linux developers?
A free software magazine is missing since all the Linux magazines turn to proprietary products more and more. Most appear not capable to explain free software, some authors even have not understood the concept.
Yes, I think that producing regular articles on Free Software is a useful task for FSFE and their associates. We are probably quite unique in having an area with lots of magazines in it, if only because we are split into many parts by languages and jurisdictions. This is definitely a line I want to pursue in the UK and I think others here agree.
On Tue, Dec 04, 2001 at 10:34:41AM +0000, MJ Ray wrote:
Jan:
The FSM should be an instrument to communicate to others rather then to ourselves.
I think that the direction of the FSM is a matter for the FSM. It seems to be a developer-orientated magazine, which is probably useful. I do not share your belief that most developers have ample accurate information about free software. Why do you think there is so much GPL FUD even from the ranks of GNU/Linux developers?
I doubt that directing the FSM towards developers-being-ignorant-to-freedom-issues will have extensive impact. All arguments and infos were already available or even brought to their attention. Those not interested in our voice will also resist the FSM.
My idea is that bringing FSM to the attention of users will educate users and these will then ask the developers-being-ignorant-to-freedom-issues why they are ignorant to freedom issues. This is quite a difference for the developers-being-ignorant-to-freedom-issues who managed to resist the FSF friends but now face users :-)
I am not saying directing FSM towards developers is bad, I just think the impact could be even increased for the benefit of the Free Software movement.
All the best
Jan