No O/S as a right more than ever

[I. Khider]

Hmmm, 

Well looks like I am alone in the room here in thinking that the idea of
pre-installing machines with Windows (or Mac for that matter, equally
horrid) as a default option in our society is wrong. The fact that
students have to resort to piracy to get software they need from Mac or
Windows to develop their education and ideas is pretty toxic in my
books. That an artist, 2/3d designer has to pirate software to develop
their ideas--the list goes on. This list states I am taking an extreme
pro-Linux stance when I am say we need 'choice' is unfair--I am looking
for balance. I say, resort to civil means if one has to--to re-introduce
balance and harmony. That opensource options are not being pursued
because companies have successfuly marginalized them out of existence
thanks to consumer complacency--especially in Canada. 

We live in a society where proprietary software is the default and to
implement opensource/free software has to be an uphill battle. Why not
default to free and then pick proprietary if we want it?

I will tell you why I am not extreme, easily. look around you, Windows
and Mac/OS is the default--we are already in an extreme position. I am
saying let us have balance and choice. How is that extreme? think about
it. Companies dictate our tools, culture, and development--I am saying
let the consumer have a say because we are part of the same ecosystem as
the companies. We have the right to ask them to change the policy
because they are as much a part of society as we are. We owe it to each
other. 

So I am the one whining here? There is a difference between making a
statement and whining, and I am making a clear statement--these
companies need to be taken to task. I support these companies, we all
do--because we nned them and vice versa. If I run a business and my
clients ask a small reasonable change to make their lives easier (at
almost no cost to me) you bet I will give it to them! Do unto others as
you would have done yourself. 

In the words of Chuck D, if I can't change the people around me, then I
change the people around me. 

I take my whining, extremist self off this list and good luck to you
all. 

Thanks, 

-i-
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