Stallman: Did I say Jobs was evil? I meant really evil
Macs are pretty digital handcuffs
As if Richard Stallman's first pot shot at Steve Jobs didn't cause enough outrage, the founder of the Free Software Foundation has decided to clarify his stance – with some more criticism. Apple products digitally handcuff their users, Stallman observes. And the fact that they are pretty just makes it worse.
According to the bearded firebrand, the important thing to remember about Jobs is how he directed those who are still alive: the billionaire iPhone baron told Apple staff to "make general purpose computers with digital handcuffs more controlling and unjust than ever before".
"He designed them to refuse even to let users install their own choice of applications — and installing free (freedom-respecting) applications is entirely forbidden," wrote Stallman.
"He even tried to make it illegal to install software not approved by Apple."
In Stallman's opinion, Jobs' achievement of making his computers smooth and pleasurable only masked their true nature:
Jobs saw how to make these computers stylish and smooth. That would normally be positive, but not in this case, since it has the paradoxical effect of making their controlling nature seem acceptable.
And responsibility for one of technology's greatest challenges lies at Steve's feet: the ongoing patent wars, a situation that Stallman sees as a by-product of Jobs' rage towards Android.
Jobs also made it a personal crusade to attack Android with software patents. In practice, Android is not entirely free software, but it is a big step closer compared with the iPhone. If Apple's guns hit Android, they could wipe out all possibility of free software portable devices that are attractive to use. Jobs' final legacy may be the patent disaster we have warned about for 20 years.
Oh and all those journalists blabbering on about how great the iPhone is are just making everything worse, for everyone:
Jobs' death inspired a flood of articles lauding him for these very devices. That further increases their potential for harm, which is why now more than ever we must focus attention on it. We must not let secondary considerations about Apple or Jobs distract us from this threat until we have thwarted it.
We look forward to more. ®
Bootnote
Richard Stallman's speaking tour rider was revealed on a public mailing list over the weekend. It includes requests for tea, non-diet Pepsi, no association with "open source", parrots and much more.
COMMENTS
I agree
I certainly agree. He was evil, and it should be clear for all to see..
He is quite clearly referring to mobile devices here, or more bluntly, iOS! Doesn't really matter what goes on in OSX with regard to his statements.
Fact is, iOS is locked down hard!
You can only use approved software (no Flash).
You can only use approved programs (App Store approvals).
You can only install software from one place (App Store).
You can only use approved file formats (no .flac etc).
You can only sync through one means (iTunes).
Etc.
These are the points he is getting at. He also says Apple are making it worse by suing 'competitors' who are trying to offer choice on a similar mobile platform, further destroying "choice".
You may or may not agree with his principles. You may or may not believe Apple is unique in these sorts of actions. You can NOT however dispute the issues he is raising as they are plain facts!
Whats the problem?
The boy speaks the truth.
The only thing he probably doesn't want to accept is that those being handcuffed probably don't care, don't know any different or most likely both.
Spot the difference
What's the difference between Richard Stallman and Steve Jobs?
One's a megalomaniac who believes that he's aways absolutely right about everything.
And the other is.... oh, wait.
The problem is that they both had utterly different and incompatible views of what a computer should be.
Think about the business practice Apple is using.
What makes your statement Truly sad is you seem to have no concept of the controlled environment Apple has created. Try loading anything onto an IOS product WITHOUT iTunes or going through apple. You can't. Apple HAS created a closed environment that many don't realize and that's the concern. Many are blind to the fact that Apple has 100% control over you and the vendors who want access to you as a consumer. NO ONE can sell anything through Itunes without APPLE getting ~30%.
Microsoft gets sued for its integrated web-browser, but NEVER prevented its users from downloading and using another. I'm still in disbelief how Apple has still not been sued for the locked down environment it commands over people who seem blinded by flashy fashion focused shells. I don't deny the simplicity....but I will NEVER give my freedom of choice away as all Apple IOS users have.
Their computers are INTEL driven computers in a fashionable shell, but people pay twice the cost of similar spec'd PC. Why? Because their lacking knowledge and quickly focus on the shiny distraction. The old adage is still true....A fool and his money are quickly parted.
