News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Miguel de Icaza responds to latest RMS article. Parent comment

Re:Miguel de Icaza responds to latest RMS article by Daishiman on Tuesday October 06, 2009 @11:31AM (#864359)
For software in education, for the state, or being used to access computerized tools needed for governance it certainly is a problem. If I can't access a government website because it's build to conform to the standards of a proprietary browser then it's everyone's problem. Same with using proprietary office applications or patent-encumbered formats.

The fact that a lot of public records are stored only to be used in proprietary software is a disturbing trend.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Miguel de Icaza responds to latest RMS article by fnid on Tuesday October 06, 2009 @11:49AM (#864417)
The output of a system and the system itself are two different things. It doesn't matter if the code powering that government website is open or not, you can't access that code.

You're arguing two different things here.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Miguel de Icaza responds to latest RMS article by Daishiman on Wednesday October 07, 2009 @07:44AM (#866521)
A closed system cannot be modified at the whim of the organization that uses it if it is closed. It implies vendor dependence. With FOSS you have vendor independence and greater competition, plus promoting the local industry by not having to depend on the IBMs and Microsofts of the world for your software support.
[ Parent | on HN ]