Re: [SLUG] Re: Android-based smartphones - any drawbacks ?

[Nick Andrew <nick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, Feb 06, 2012 at 09:34:22AM +0800, James Linder wrote:
> If I choose to use windows then the only and remote moral issue is MS
> use the money I fed them to wreck havoc on the world.

I think you just proved Patrick's point. By continuing to pay money to
MS, you are in part responsible for the use to which you know they put
that money - which is to continue to lock users inside an MS ecosystem
to the maximum extent possible. Software patents and restricted copy
and use rights deprive users of freedom. Users may not be aware of this
lost freedom, but that doesn't mean it's valueless.

> if we loose track of the ball and even start to believe that freedom is a moral issue. 

You think freedom is not a moral issue? Sorry, but freedom is the epitome
of a moral issue. Rights, responsibilities, privileges, power, choice,
liberty, coercion and contract are all important issues in the world of
software and the Internet as they are in the physical world. We're
developing new things pretty rapidly and it is important for future
generations that we get the governance model right; we don't want to
end up with the Internet equivalent of a theocracy or feudal system.

> Certainly if you try to argue with the PM linux for every kid because Windoze is immoral you are going to find your self ignored.

If that was a once-only argument you may be right, but it takes time
to raise awareness and a lot of effort to explain why putting yourself,
say, at the mercy of Microsoft's or some other company's EULA is
ultimately harmful.

> While this thread drifts OT the basic issue is tremendously important for us as a group.

So ... back to the important questions of whether Android or IOS runs
more apps?

Nick.