Do Republicans support the free software movement?

Question

Most of the people who support the free software movement are Liberal. I guess I am one of the exceptions. I do not like seeing a world dominated by proprietary software. I would like to be able to buy a computer and have a choice of what system I want to use.

Do most Republicans agree that it's crazy that Microsoft and Apple basically force you to buy their systems when you get a new computer? Of course this is because they are exploiting people's lack of knowledge concerning software.

How are such people so easily convinced that Microsoft or Apple is the best thing for them to use?

You would think that since freeBSD and Linux are free, many businesses would be using them. Linux was not designed for geeks alone.

Answer 1

It's amazing how ignorant people are about Linux. People actually think we pirate it. NO,NO,NO you morons, IT'S FREE. So is a whole bunch of software. Some of it runs on Windows.

Answer 2

Copyright law is an antiquated piece of history that was rendered completely obsolete by the advent of the internet and the widespread perforation of open-source software. I'm not saying that we should no protection for IP holders, but the established common law regime has proven to be a colossal failure. The internet has proven that the argument that strict copyright protections encourage innovation is completely false.



The law should adapt to meet the needs of a changing market, and that should mean changing the way that we view the seriousness of copyright infringement. Again, not saying that someone should be able to freely distribute someone else's IP, but simply being in possession of an item subject to someone else's IP shouldn't bear such disproportionate consequences (i.e. - imprisonment and massive fines; rather, the damages should be limited to the value lost by the IP holder).



People use Microsoft and Apple software because it's familiar. That's really the only reason. Most businesspeople are not tech savvy.



One way or the other, I don't see how this could possibly be a partisan issue. Then again, I guess you're in the USA, land of the idiots, where you have to tag along with everything that your party says regardless of how painfully stupid it is, so I'm probably wrong.

Answer 3

Linux? I have used Apple for, lets say. the 1980's. And I am Conservative. Software was free back then too. But, as with every product out there sometimes one comes along that makes life a bit easier. Who wants to spend time plopping in code, when all you need to do is plop in one disk. I hacked the Windows 98 software for my Apple. (yep, could be done on some machines). I had about 20 some of those huge old floppy disks to store the code, and for every application you interchanged disks. The day I could afford a better easier system, those disks were trashed.

Answer 4

If a company wants to sell you a computer with software already installed, then that is their choice. If you really have such a problem with it, build your own computer. Or start a company that sells computers without an operating system attached.

Answer 5

"why do these darned engineers think they have the right to make a living off their labor?! they should be forced to give it away for free!"...is that it?

Answer 6

Yes, we know that Liberals like to break the law.

Answer 7

No, free software is just another handout!

Answer 8

the market picks thwe winners and losers .. and there is nothing for free

Answer 9

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!