Many times over the years many in the Open Source community have accused Microsoft of spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) about the Open Source community and projects. To at least some extent this is certainly true, Microsoft has tried to discredit others (not just Open Source projects) in an effort to make theirs look better. This tactic is hardly limited to large multi-national corporations, individuals do it all the time. In this case it is Joe Barr with his Why I love the GPL article on NewsForge.
Before I go on, the standard disclaimer goes here. In general I prefer the BSD license instead of the GPL license, not in all cases, but in general. I’m also a bigger fan of FreeBSD and Mac OS X than I am of <insert your distro here> Linux. None of these stances has prevented me from using GPL software or Linux distributions. And try I to do my best not let these preferences lower me to the level of name calling and FUD.
The Linux community (and the greater Open Source community for that matter) have a lot to be proud of, they’ve made some incredible advances over the years. No matter how you look at Open Source has made a huge contribution computing. The Internet certainly would not be what it is today without projects like Bind and Apache. So when I read Joe’s article on why he loves the GPL, I was disappointed to see him devote so much of hit to FUD against other licenses and Microsoft. It is always disheartening to watch someone sink to tactics they belittle others for using.
I’m not sure an article on supporting a specific license has to use adjectives like: greedy, gaping gaws, software pirates, BSD-bigots, fascist, bozos, kneecap-busting, air-supply cutting, baby-knifing, hollow-men, impotent, noxious and insane towards others. Instead this makes Joe’s article feel like a mean spirited attack on everyone who doesn’t agree with his views. In describing the “magic” of the GPL he says:
“If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you are probably never going to “get it” as far as the GPL, or Linux, is concerned.”
Instead of keeping to reasons why he favors the GPL, his states that you’ll never get it. After making personal attacks against Gates and Ballmer, he complains about the approach of attacking Richard Stallman as a substitute for attacking the GPL. I guess it is okay for Joe to make personal attacks, but not others. That certainly brings his credibility down a notch. I’m sure that Joe meant well by his article, but I think he would have been more convincing if it didn’t sound so angry.
I’m not a big Microsoft fan, but articles like this are not only not helpful, I believe they damage to the Open Source community. If you are going to write an article like this, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Attack others as little as possible.
- Stick to the facts, simply stating that something is the best (or worst) doesn’t make it so.
- Provide references for facts that you mention, this allows others to review the same material you did and see if they come to the same conclusion.
- Recognize that most things in this world aren’t 100% black or white, issues (and people) are complicated and you can rarely categorize them in simple ways.
- Address some of the down sides to your point of view, demonstrating that you have a view of the big picture.
The Open Source community has a lot going for it and I want to see it continue to flourish.