Re: [DotGNU]Propoganda starts at home...

[David Sugar]

I think one point that needs to be emphasised is that compatibility with those 
things that are considered or up for consideration as "standards" will of 
course be implimented in whole to that standard, unless there is a conflict 
between the standard and freedom, in which case alternate solutions that 
protect and promote freedom will be offered.

Another thing to consider is that when we speak of freedom, we are also 
speaking of users freedoms and rights, such as privacy, in addition to the 
freedom of the software itself, which is embodied in the GPL.

I think it is also important to stress the fact that the existing passport 
system offers no technilogical advantage, and in fact, is a much poorer 
technology than what can actually be offered, such as in a distributed 
authentication and user data storage system, unless one considers the primary 
goal of the existing (microsoft) solution as being soley to form and track 
every user and transaction that occurs on the net from and by one single company.

Finally, if Microsoft became/registered/aquired a financial services company, 
under US law (as of July 1st), Microsoft would be legally permitted to share 
and distribute any and ALL financial information it may collect in it's global 
passport based solution with ANYONE it chooses.  Even if one "ops out" of this 
by filling out and returning an appropriate form later, it would still be free 
to share and sell past information to ANYONE, and any current information to 
ANY of it's existing business partners at will.  This is something to consider 
and stress, as it may be something people could identify with and understand 
more easily why the passport system is ethically and morally wrong.

David

Norbert Bollow wrote:

> > As I understand it, FSF was planning a VERY different press release, but 
> > couldn't get in contact with the right people to authorize
> > it. Still, we need to be very grateful to Richard and the FSF
> > for what they have done for us. It is still very good and will
> > help a great deal.
>
>
> I agree.  The official "blessing" by FSF (as this was called in
> the Newsforge article) is worth a lot.  My disappointment came
> from expecting too much too quickly.  I'm sure we can trust the
> Free Software Foundation to think through the freedom issues
> and then speak about them very openly.
>
>
> > Norbert, can you draft a press release along the lines of your response to 
> > the article
>
>
> Ok, I'll start working on this immediately.
>
> Everyone who would like to be quoted in the press release,
> please send me (preferably via the address@hidden
> mailing list) some statements from which it is ok to quote
> you.  Please include some background information about yourself,
> so that we can avoid mistakes like the one in the Newsforge
> article where I'm called a "developer".  (I'm a mathematician
> and business coach with some programming skills, but not really
> a software developer.)
>
>
> > and allow others to comment and work on it once you post the 
> > draft here?
>
>
> *nod* will do.
>
>
> > We need to highlight more the freedom and threat to freedom 
> > issues you discussed.
>
>
> Yes.
>
>
> > Also, we need to include FreeDevelopers involvement- call it a
> > *FreeDevelopers initiated and supported GNU project*.
>
>
> Sounds good.
>
> Greetings, Norbert.