Deutsche VersionFree Software Foundation vs. Apple
The [Free Software Foundation][fsf] is currently [campaigning against the iPhone][campaign]. They object to the restrictions on what applications can be installed and the existence of Digital Rights Management[^1]. And of course, the Mac community is [largely negative][reaction] towards this.
It’s easy to dismiss the FSF’s claims, and in fact I’m doing this myself. Claiming that the iPhone might give away your position without you knowing is somewhere between unsupported and slanderous. Claiming that Ogg Vorbis and Theora are patent-free is difficult (there are no known patents covering these formats. The problem are all the other ones…), claiming that they matter is just rubbish.
However, I can’t shake off the feeling that their basic criticism isn’t wrong. There are a lot of people, including a lot of developers (and me), who don’t mind the restrictions on the App Store. For many, DRM is not a problem. However, I think we can all agree that the world would be a better place without these. Is App-Store-only really the best way to go? Is Apple really doing all they can to get rid of DRM? There is a valid core to the FSF’s ramblings.
The real problem with the anti-iPhone campaign is communications. They are attacking Apple, but many people, including just about all iPhone customers, like Apple, as an organization, way more than they like the FSF. Consequently, the FSF’s claims are ignored by all except the few guys who run Linux[^2] not because it’s cheap but because they care about freedom.
It does not have to be that way. Greenpeace, obviously a similar idealistic organization, had issues with Apple as well, and they were aware that they couldn’t attack Apple if they wanted support from Apple customers. So they started a [beautifully made web campaign][greenpeace] which ran under the motto “I love my Apple. I only wish it came in green”. That’s the way the FSF should do it. I just they won’t because it does not fit their world-view.
*[FSF]: Free Software Foundation [^1]: Note to FSF: That’s the name. Not Digital Restrictions Management. Refusing to name your opponents with their official name just looks childish [^2]: The accepted name is Linux. Not GNU/Linux. Sometimes I think the FSF is the organization that most wants “1984” to happen, with all their attempts to redefine reality by redefining language.
Written on August 1st, 2008 at 06:47 am
