Yes, I fix my kids toys. But I don't require the manufacturing details to do that. Just as I don't need source code to modify/analyse software.
Access to the source code is not a precondition to understanding how software works. It certainly helps, but it's not a requirement. If anyone believes that, they're effectively saying that it is absolutely impossible…
Your arguments are all against reverse-engineering/code modification being illegal - which I think most people would agree on - not on free software. Allowing reverse engineering is a matter of allowing people freedom.…
Why do you think it's important? Is it important when I buy a wooden table that I'm given full details of how it was made, how the pieces fit together, what glue was used, what size router bits, etc?
I'd say Stallman has a very extreme set of priorities. For most people, they just want a computer/games console/cellphone that works, and operates in the way they want it to. Whether the source code is free or not is…
> Am I the only one surprised that it took such a long time for them to do this? It only started last year.
The internet will always have government surveillance, just as real life always has surveillance and monitoring. If you don't want to be monitored, either encrypt things, or don't post it online.
In your opinion they matter. I'm unconvinced. The majority of people are sharing more about themselves online. Not less. Outside this niche, people seem pretty uninterested that governments monitor the internet. They…
Yes, I fix my kids toys. But I don't require the manufacturing details to do that. Just as I don't need source code to modify/analyse software.
Access to the source code is not a precondition to understanding how software works. It certainly helps, but it's not a requirement. If anyone believes that, they're effectively saying that it is absolutely impossible…
Your arguments are all against reverse-engineering/code modification being illegal - which I think most people would agree on - not on free software. Allowing reverse engineering is a matter of allowing people freedom.…
Why do you think it's important? Is it important when I buy a wooden table that I'm given full details of how it was made, how the pieces fit together, what glue was used, what size router bits, etc?
I'd say Stallman has a very extreme set of priorities. For most people, they just want a computer/games console/cellphone that works, and operates in the way they want it to. Whether the source code is free or not is…
> Am I the only one surprised that it took such a long time for them to do this? It only started last year.
The internet will always have government surveillance, just as real life always has surveillance and monitoring. If you don't want to be monitored, either encrypt things, or don't post it online.
In your opinion they matter. I'm unconvinced. The majority of people are sharing more about themselves online. Not less. Outside this niche, people seem pretty uninterested that governments monitor the internet. They…