MOn May 10, 2016 1:39:30 PM AST, wrote: >On Fri, May 06, 2016 at 06:15:03PM -0500, J.B. Nicholson wrote: > >> Alex Jordan wrote: >> > You're completely missing the above point. What Julien is saying >> > (correct me if I'm wrong) is that using "GNU" as a brand for >> > freedom-respecting operating systems is valuable even if >technically >> > inaccurate. >> >> I can't correct your understanding of what Julien said because I >don't speak >> for Julien and I don't see that you sent a copy of your email to >Julien so >> Julien can provide the correction you seek. > >Crap! I meant to CC the list and completely forgot. Apologies. (That's >also why I said "correct me if I'm wrong" - I was assuming Julien >would see it!) CC'ing now. > >> > In words, you think that this wouldn't work because the steps >> > would be "put the 'GNU' moniker in the name of everything with the >> > actual GNU code, then identify things with the 'GNU' moniker in the >> > name as free." You're totally right, that wouldn't work, but that's >> > not what's being suggested. >> >> That does not describe my views. >> >> > What's being suggested is that we ignore where the different >components >> > of the OS come from, and evaluate *only* if it's a free OS. Then if >it >> > is, we put the 'GNU' moniker into the name, even if the OS doesn't >> > actually use GNU code. >> >> There are free software OSes without GNU I would not want to call GNU >> because calling them GNU would not only be misleading but >disrespectful of >> OS developers who are doing what free software activists want done. >Using >> the word GNU as you describe is not only incorrect usage but could >become >> deceptive. We're better off identifying what things really are and >teaching >> people to value software freedom and ethical treatment for its own >sake.
The word free is deceptive. English sucks. As a teacher I do wish that education was the answer, but I also know some don't want and thus won't learn. However that's not to say we shouldn't try. >> This work cannot be reduced to a branding exercise nor should >>branding be given primacy. No I didn't really consider that. >Generally speaking I agree with you. I was just trying to explain the >idea, since there seems to have been some misunderstanding. Thank you for clearing them up. P.S. I'm still learning though It's unfortunate that GNU doesn't / can't ensure freedom.
