Richard Stallman Comments On Valve For Linux

[Pr⊕phet]

Seems some parts of linux don't want valve coming over. lol ?


Richard Stallman Comments On Valve For Linux

Posted by Michael Larabel on July 29, 2012

Richard Stallman has commented on Valve's plans to bring their games/software to Linux. Of course, he isn't happy about more non-free software coming to Linux.

Stallman's brief post can be found at GNU.org in a new post entitled "Nonfree DRM'd Games on GNU/Linux: Good or Bad?" Some of his key points include:

- I suppose that availability of popular nonfree programs on GNU/Linux can boost adoption of the system. However, our goal goes beyond making this system a “success”; its purpose is to bring freedom to the users. Thus, the question is how this development affects users' freedom.

- In the eyes of RMS, non-free games are unethical because they deny freedom to their users.

- On the plus side, if you're going to play these non-free games anyways, it's good you're using Linux. Microsoft Windows only causes more harm.

- Thus, in direct practical terms, this development can do both harm and good. It might encourage GNU/Linux users to install these games, and it might encourage users of the games to replace Windows with GNU/Linux. My guess is that the direct good effect will be bigger than the direct harm. But there is also an indirect effect: what does the use of these games teach people in our community?
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[MOnk]

Not sure what harm Steam coming to Linux brings, that seems slightly absurd. Just because you want to encourage free and open source software doesn't mean everything has to be that or else it's bad. A silly analogy would be those ultra-feminists who campaign for women's rights but then feel that any women who acts 'feminine' is somehow betraying their cause.

[Pr⊕phet]

Not sure what harm Steam coming to Linux brings, that seems slightly absurd. Just because you want to encourage free and open source software doesn't mean everything has to be that or else it's bad. A silly analogy would be those ultra-feminists who campaign for women's rights but then feel that any women who acts 'feminine' is somehow betraying their cause.

Lol, I thought RMS was something like DRM, but I now see RMS simply is Richard M Stallman. Apparently, well RMS says that steam will end free and open stuff on linux if I got his gist correct.

[Strifehart]

- In the eyes of RMS, non-free games are unethical because they deny freedom to their users.

The vast majority of free games are a load of shit as well. I really don't get these open source clowns sometimes. I figured everyone would be rejoicing at the fact that a lot of brilliant games will be making their way to the platform.

[TheAvenged87]

Lol, I thought RMS was something like DRM, but I now see RMS simply is Richard M Stallman. Apparently, well RMS says that steam will end free and open stuff on linux if I got his gist correct.

The other night when I installed Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, I noticed that Braid was available for $19.99. Awesome game and not too bad for a price. But what I also noticed was the lack of really cool games in the Ubuntu Store (side note: doesn't 'store' imply that stuff has to be bought?). Steam for Linux is sure to be a welcomed addition to the Linux stable, as it will allow for more people to use the OS and play their games on it.

Wouldn't you rather pay for really good games to ensure that they keep coming out on a free OS?