Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Talking about non-free software on the list

[Bob Ham]

On 2013-03-19 08:15, MJ Ray wrote:
> Bob Ham wrote:
> > Providing instructions with a warning that to follow the 
> > instructions
> > is bad, gives a conflicting message.  The inclusion of any 
> > instuctions
> > at all implies that following them is OK.  The words against 
> > following
> > them come as an after-thought and, in opinion, with less power.
>
> I disagree.  That's like suggesting that GNU Mailman's thanks to
> Atlassian http://wiki.list.org/dashboard.action implies it's OK to 
> use
> their proprietary software, or that the BBC are implying some common
> frauds are OK because they explain how they work.  People can explain
> how to do things without meaning it's good to do so.
>
> Heck, anyone who thinks explanation is endorsement must get really
> cross about all those newsreaders and teachers in favour of genocide
> and so on!

Here you've changed the words used.  Before, we were using the word 
"instructions".  Here, you've started using the word "explanation".

Explaining how other people do something is different to instructing 
someone on how they can do it.  The difference is subtle but it's 
definitely there.  I think the fact that the words have changed 
highlights this.

Debian provides instructions, not an explanation.


> There are more instuctions on how to install non-free software 
> created
> every day, sadly.

Indeed.  Unfortunately, Debian is one of the culprits! :-)


--
Bob Ham <address@hidden>

for (;;) { ++pancakes; }