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www/philosophy greve-clown.en.html
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From: |
Yavor Doganov |
|
Subject: |
www/philosophy greve-clown.en.html |
|
Date: |
Sat, 21 Apr 2007 22:46:41 +0000 |
CVSROOT: /web/www
Module name: www
Changes by: Yavor Doganov <yavor> 07/04/21 22:46:41
Modified files:
philosophy : greve-clown.en.html
Log message:
Templated.
CVSWeb URLs:
http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewcvs/www/philosophy/greve-clown.en.html?cvsroot=www&r1=1.3&r2=1.4
Patches:
Index: greve-clown.en.html
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RCS file: /web/www/www/philosophy/greve-clown.en.html,v
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-<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//IETF//DTD HTML 2.0//DE">
-<HTML>
-<HEAD>
-<TITLE>Speech at the CLOWN - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation
(FSF)</TITLE>
-<!-- Changed by: Georg C. F. Greve, 16-Dec-1998 -->
-<LINK REV="made" HREF="mailto:address@hidden";>
-</HEAD>
-<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#000000" LINK="#1F00FF" ALINK="#FF0000"
VLINK="#9900DD">
-<H3>Speech by Georg C. F. Greve in Paderborn (Germany), 5. 12. 98 at the
CLOWN.</H3>
-
-<P>
-
-<A HREF="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg"><IMG
SRC="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg"
- ALT=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] "
- WIDTH="160" HEIGHT="200"></A>
-<A HREF="/graphics/philosophical-gnu.jpg">(jpeg 141k)</A>
+<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
+<title>Speech at the CLOWN - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation
(FSF)</title>
+<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
+<h2>Speech by Georg C. F. Greve in Paderborn (Germany), 5. 12. 98 at the
CLOWN.</h2>
-<P>
+<!-- Changed by: Georg C. F. Greve, 16-Dec-1998 -->
-<center>
+<p style="text-align:center">
<small>
- Copyright (C) 1998 Georg C. F. Greve.<br>
- Permission statement <A HREF="#Permission"
NAME="TOCPermission">below</A><br><p>
-Dies ist eine Übersetzung der Rede, das<br>
-<hl><A HREF="/philosophy/greve-clown.de.html">Deutsche Original</A><hl><br>
-ist ebenfalls verfügbar und wird empfohlen.<br>
+ Copyright © 1998 Georg C. F. Greve.<br />
+ Permission statement <a href="#Permission">below</a><br />
+<br />
+Dies ist eine Übersetzung der Rede, das<br />
+<a href="/philosophy/greve-clown.de.html">Deutsche Original</a><br />
+ist ebenfalls verfügbar und wird empfohlen.<br />
</small>
-<h1><A HREF="/people/greve.html">Georg C. F. Greve <address@hidden></A><BR>
- History and Philosophy of the<br>
- GNU Project<br>
-</h1><em>
-<br>
-This speech was given at the CLOWN (Cluster of Working Nodes), <br>
-a 512-node Cluster project of Debian GNU/Linux machines in the<br>
-University of Paderborn, Germany.<br>
-<br>
+</p>
+<h3><a href="http://gnuhh.org";>Georg C. F. Greve</a>
+<a href="mailto:address@hidden";><address@hidden></a><br />
+ History and Philosophy of the<br />
+ GNU Project<br />
+</h3>
+<p style="text-align:center">
+<em>This speech was given at the CLOWN (Cluster of Working Nodes), <br />
+a 512-node Cluster project of Debian GNU/Linux machines in the<br />
+University of Paderborn, Germany.<br />
+<br />
5. December 1998
-<BR>
</em>
-</center>
+</p>
-<P>
+<p>
<strong>
-[Note: In translating this speech I have tried to stay as close as possible
-to the original speech that I have given in German. Breaking up the German
-structures and turning them into reasonable English has been quite
-some work, and I would like to thank my roommate Doug Chapin, a good
-friend and native American who helped me with some phrases and
-words. The translation will never hold the same emotions and
-implications but I think we got very close...]
+[Note: In translating this speech I have tried to stay as close as
+possible to the original speech that I have given in German. Breaking
+up the German structures and turning them into reasonable English has
+been quite some work, and I would like to thank my roommate Doug
+Chapin, a good friend and native American who helped me with some
+phrases and words. The translation will never hold the same emotions
+and implications but I think we got very close…]
</strong>
-<P>
+</p>
-<P>
+<p>
During the preparation of this speech I have read several documents
and spoken to a lot of people. In doing so I realized that even people
whose jobs have been created more or less directly by the GNU project
did not know it's true meaning. In the overall rush we are
experiencing at the moment, it seems that a basic awareness of the
roots has been lost. Tonight I hope I'll be able to uncover some of
-those roots again.<BR>
-<P>
+those roots again.</p>
+
+<p>
The origin lies somewhere in the transition from the 70's to the 80's,
when the software industry became what we accept so willingly
-today. In the initial competition, some firms
-took to hording code as a survival strategy. While attempting
-to support this behaviour's legality, they created phrases like
-"Software Piracy" because they suggest that something is lost when
-software is copied. People were forced to yield to licenses that bound
-them to make sure that no one else had access to these programs.<BR>
-<P>
+today. In the initial competition, some firms took to hording code as
+a survival strategy. While attempting to support this behaviour's
+legality, they created phrases like “Software Piracy”
+because they suggest that something is lost when software is
+copied. People were forced to yield to licenses that bound them to
+make sure that no one else had access to these programs.</p>
+
+<p>
When a friend asked you whether he could copy a program from you, you
immediately faced a dilemma. There are no disadvantages for you in
copying the program, and it doesn't deteriorate during the copying
-process... it would be more restrictive if he asked you to pass the
-salt, since you can't both use it at the same time. The
-politics of the companies forced you to <B>choose</B> between legality
-and friendship.<BR>
-<P>
+process… it would be more restrictive if he asked you to pass
+the salt, since you can't both use it at the same time. The politics
+of the companies forced you to <b>choose</b> between legality and
+friendship.</p>
+
+<p>
A lot of people were upset about this and most of them copied the
-program anyway--very often using lame excuses that were mostly
+program anyway—very often using lame excuses that were mostly
aimed at calming their own troubled consciousness (induced by the
-firms' choice of words). The absolute hit was probably "If I would use
-it more often I would pay it" ... a phrase that probably everyone
-caught himself using if he ever had to rely on proprietary software.<BR>
-<P>
+firms' choice of words). The absolute hit was probably “If I
+would use it more often I would pay it” … a phrase that
+probably everyone caught himself using if he ever had to rely on
+proprietary software.</p>
+
+<p>
One man found this situation unbearable. Used to the early days, the
-(as he says himself) "paradise,", where freedom and responsible use of
-the possibilities determined the situation, Richard Stallman
-envisioned the concept of a completely free system. Very quickly it
-became clear that this system would be Unix-compatible and it was
-baptized--recursive acronyms were very popular back then--GNU,
-which means "GNU's Not Unix."<BR>
-Stallman gathered some people who shared
-his fascination with a free system and founded the GNU Free Software
-Foundation, of which he is still the president today.<BR>
-<P>
+(as he says himself) “paradise,”, where freedom and
+responsible use of the possibilities determined the situation, Richard
+Stallman envisioned the concept of a completely free system. Very
+quickly it became clear that this system would be Unix-compatible and
+it was baptized—recursive acronyms were very popular back
+then—GNU, which means “GNU's Not Unix.”<br />
+Stallman gathered some people who shared his fascination with a free
+system and founded the GNU Free Software Foundation, of which he is
+still the president today.</p>
+
+<p>
Since first of all a Unix system requires a large set of components,
it became clear that these were the the first step towards a
-completely free system. The GNU FSF worked on implementing
-them, and by the beginning of the 90's the GNU system was complete (with
-the exception of the kernel).<BR>
-The GNU kernel--project name "HURD"--has an extremely ambitious
-layout that proved to be very slow and clumsy in development. Fortunately
-at this point Linus Torvalds's first Linux kernel was in the test
-phase, and when he saw the work already done by the GNU FSF he put
-his kernel under the GNU GPL and made it the kernel of the GNU
-system.<BR>
-<P>
+completely free system. The GNU FSF worked on implementing them, and
+by the beginning of the 90's the GNU system was complete (with the
+exception of the kernel).<br />
+The GNU kernel—project name “HURD”—has an
+extremely ambitious layout that proved to be very slow and clumsy in
+development. Fortunately at this point Linus Torvalds's first Linux
+kernel was in the test phase, and when he saw the work already done by
+the GNU FSF he put his kernel under the GNU GPL and made it the kernel
+of the GNU system.</p>
+
+<p>
There is no need to tell the rest of the story since most of us have
-experienced it themselves.<BR>
-<P>
+experienced it themselves.</p>
+<p>
A little earlier I said that Richard Stallman envisioned the concept
-of Free Software--what I didn't tell you about was the Philosophy
-that stands behind it.<BR>
-<P>
-
-The "Free" in Free Software does not refer to the price but to
-"Freedom". This is no unproblematic topic and recently some of the
-visionaries of the movement (like Eric Raymond) have begun to talk
-about "Open Source" because "Freedom" has an uneasy sound to it for
-most people. Freedom rings of "making world a better place"
-and insecurity. It rings of change, and change frightens many people.
-To numb this fear, other licenses for free software have been
-invented in order to make the concept digestible for more people
-and to avoid scaring the industry.<BR>
-<P>
-That is the reason why the GNU Project dislikes the term "Open
-Source." We think it makes more sense to take away people's fears of
-the idea instead of blurring the concept. Only if users and firms are
-aware of the importance of freedom can we avoid falling back into old
-patterns.<BR>
-<P>
-The philosophy of the GNU Project says that <B>everyone</B> shall have
+of Free Software—what I didn't tell you about was the Philosophy
+that stands behind it.</p>
+
+<p>
+The “Free” in Free Software does not refer to the price
+but to “Freedom”. This is no unproblematic topic and
+recently some of the visionaries of the movement (like Eric Raymond)
+have begun to talk about “Open Source” because
+“Freedom” has an uneasy sound to it for most
+people. Freedom rings of “making world a better place” and
+insecurity. It rings of change, and change frightens many people. To
+numb this fear, other licenses for free software have been invented in
+order to make the concept digestible for more people and to avoid
+scaring the industry.</p>
+
+<p>
+That is the reason why the GNU Project dislikes the term “Open
+Source.” We think it makes more sense to take away people's
+fears of the idea instead of blurring the concept. Only if users and
+firms are aware of the importance of freedom can we avoid falling back
+into old patterns.</p>
+
+<p>
+The philosophy of the GNU Project says that <b>everyone</b> shall have
the granted right to use a program, to copy it, and to change it to
-make it fit his or her needs. The <B>only</B> restriction the GNU
-General Public License makes, is that <B>NO ONE</B> has the right to
-take away this freedom from anyone else.<BR>
-<P>
+make it fit his or her needs. The <b>only</b> restriction the GNU
+General Public License makes, is that <b>NO ONE</b> has the right to
+take away this freedom from anyone else.</p>
+
+<p>
When an author puts his code under the GNU GPL, the freedom is an
-inseperable part of his program. Of course, this is a thorn in the side
-of a lot of businesses eyes because
-it stops them from taking the code, modifying it, and then selling it
-as a proprietary program. As long as there are people who try to live
-the dream of instant wealth it is this freedom that stops firms like
-Microsoft from corrupting the future development of our system.<BR>
-<P>
+inseperable part of his program. Of course, this is a thorn in the
+side of a lot of businesses eyes because it stops them from taking the
+code, modifying it, and then selling it as a proprietary program. As
+long as there are people who try to live the dream of instant wealth
+it is this freedom that stops firms like Microsoft from corrupting the
+future development of our system.</p>
+
+<p>
The most used argument against the GNU Philosophy is probably that
-software is the "intellectual property" of the programmer and it is
-only right if he can decide the price for which the program is
-distributed. This argument is easy to understand for everyone since
+software is the “intellectual property” of the programmer
+and it is only right if he can decide the price for which the program
+is distributed. This argument is easy to understand for everyone since
it is exactly what we have been told to believe during the last 20
-years.<BR>
-<P>
+years.</p>
+
+<p>
Reality is a little different, though. Private programmers who can
live off selling self-written software are the exception. Usually they
give their rights to the firm they work at and this firm earns the
money by restricting access to that program. Effectively, the
firm has the rights for that program and decides it's price
---not the programmer.<BR>
-<P>
+—not the programmer.</p>
+
+<p>
A lawyer who invents an especially brilliant strategy has no right to
-claim it as his "intellectual property;" the method is freely
-available to anyone. Why do we so willingly accept the concept that
-every line of code--no matter how poorly written or uninspired it may
-be--is so unique and incredibly personal ? The zeal for control
-has taken over in a way that even human genes are subject to
-patents...although usually not by the people who "use" them. Should
-really <B>everything</B> be allowed to be patented and licensed?<BR>
-<P>
+claim it as his “intellectual property;” the method is
+freely available to anyone. Why do we so willingly accept the concept
+that every line of code—no matter how poorly written or
+uninspired it may be—is so unique and incredibly personal ? The
+zeal for control has taken over in a way that even human genes are
+subject to patents…although usually not by the people who
+“use” them. Should really <b>everything</b> be allowed to
+be patented and licensed?</p>
+
+<p>
This is the question that is one of the core thoughts of the GNU
Project. Let us just imagine there would be no such concept as
patented software or patenting software would be unusual because
-everyone published his programs under the GNU GPL.<BR>
-<P>
+everyone published his programs under the GNU GPL.</p>
+
+<p>
Solutions for standard problems that had to be solved over and over
again can be accessed easily. No one has to waste his time ever again
-to work on the same problem dozens of times--programmers could search
-for new ways and approach new problems. If a group of users needs a
-certain feature in a program they just hire a programmer and let him
-implement it. Freed of the limitations of licenses and money only two
-criteria would determine the development of programs: demand and
-quality.<BR>
-<P>
-Speaking of quality--nowadays more and more firms realize that
+to work on the same problem dozens of times—programmers could
+search for new ways and approach new problems. If a group of users
+needs a certain feature in a program they just hire a programmer and
+let him implement it. Freed of the limitations of licenses and money
+only two criteria would determine the development of programs: demand
+and quality.</p>
+
+<p>
+Speaking of quality—nowadays more and more firms realize that
allowing the users to access the sourcecode gives them a huge
advantage. To say it in a simple way: more eyes can see
more. Solutions that are unimaginable for one person are painfully
obvious for someone else. Due to this advantage Free Software is very
-often so much better than its proprietary counterpart.
-The train of thought that now appears to be establishing itself
-within some firms is to give users access to the source code but
-not grant any other rights. Improvements are obediently being sent
-back to the firm that advances it's product with them. Basically as a
-gigantic gratis development division. If we do not pay attention to
-these things <B>now</B> it might happen that in 5 years we will have
-to pay for a version that has been produced by applying our own
-patch.<BR>
-<P>
-The concept of software as "intellectual property" carries the seed of
-doom inside itself (please forgive me for the pathos here).
-As long as we accept this concept, we accept the danger that
+often so much better than its proprietary counterpart. The train of
+thought that now appears to be establishing itself within some firms
+is to give users access to the source code but not grant any other
+rights. Improvements are obediently being sent back to the firm that
+advances it's product with them. Basically as a gigantic gratis
+development division. If we do not pay attention to these
+things <b>now</b> it might happen that in 5 years we will have to pay
+for a version that has been produced by applying our own patch.</p>
+
+<p>
+The concept of software as “intellectual property” carries
+the seed of doom inside itself (please forgive me for the pathos
+here). As long as we accept this concept, we accept the danger that
another firm will attempt to take control. Microsoft is
-<EM>not</EM> evil incarnate as some people seem to percieve. Microsoft
-is <EM>the natural consequence</EM> of the widely accepted system.<BR>
-<P>
-
-The fear of sawing the branch you´re sitting on is also commonly
-spread, but completely irrational. Better
-programs lead to more users that have other needs and new ideas,
-creating more demand. The structure will change to fit the new
-situation but work will increase rather than decrease--and it will
-become less routine and hence more interesting.<BR>
-<P>
+<em>not</em> evil incarnate as some people seem to percieve. Microsoft
+is <em>the natural consequence</em> of the widely accepted system.</p>
+
+<p>
+The fear of sawing the branch you're sitting on is also commonly
+spread, but completely irrational. Better programs lead to more users
+that have other needs and new ideas, creating more demand. The
+structure will change to fit the new situation but work will increase
+rather than decrease—and it will become less routine and hence
+more interesting.</p>
+
+<p>
The last common fear that remains is the fear over lack of
recognition. Well, the respect held for the frontmen of the different
philosophies speaks for itself. I on my part would prefer to be as
respected as Linus Thorvalds or Richard Stallman than having the
-reputation of Bill Gates.<BR>
-<P>
+reputation of Bill Gates.</p>
+
+<p>
Admittedly, this does sound like bettering the world and idealism, but
a lot of the really great ideas were driven by the wish to make the
-world a little better.<BR>
-<P>
+world a little better.</p>
+<p>
And to settle one point very clearly: no, the GNU Project is not
agains capitalism or firms in general and it is not against software
firms in particular. We do not want to diminish the potential for
-profit--quite to the contrary. Every firm is being told to make as
-much money as they can off the sale of software, the documentation and
-the service--as long as they stick to the basic principles of Free
-Software.<BR>
+profit—quite to the contrary. Every firm is being told to make
+as much money as they can off the sale of software, the documentation
+and the service—as long as they stick to the basic principles of
+Free Software.<br />
The more these firms earn the more they can invest into the
development of new software. We do not want to destroy the market, we
-just want to fit it to the times.<BR>
-<P>
+just want to fit it to the times.</p>
+
+<p>
One short note about the basic principles: of course Free Software
also requires free documentation. It doesn't make any sense to free
-the successor of the book--software--while accepting control of
-the direct digital equivalent. Free documentation is as important as
-Free Software itself.<BR>
-<P>
-Maybe someone discarded my statement about seeking to "fit the market to
-the times" as a rethorical stament--but it is an
-important point in the GNU Philosophy:<BR>
+the successor of the book—software—while accepting control
+of the direct digital equivalent. Free documentation is as important
+as Free Software itself.</p>
+
+<p>
+Maybe someone discarded my statement about seeking to “fit the
+market to the times” as a rethorical stament—but it is an
+important point in the GNU Philosophy:<br />
the time when software was only relevant for a few freaks and some
-firms is long gone. Nowadays software is the pathway to
-information. A system that blocks the pathways to information and in
-doing so the access to the information itself <B>must</B> be
-reconsidered.<BR>
-<P>
-
-When Eric Raymond published the so called "Halloween Document" it
-triggered emotions from euphoria to paranoia. For those of you who did
-not read it: it is a Microsoft internal study in which the strengths
-and weaknesses of Free Software in general and Linux especially are
-analyzed. The author basically concluded that Microsoft has two
-possibilities to counter the threat.<BR>
-<P>
+firms is long gone. Nowadays software is the pathway to information. A
+system that blocks the pathways to information and in doing so the
+access to the information itself <b>must</b> be reconsidered.</p>
+
+<p>
+When Eric Raymond published the so called “Halloween
+Document” it triggered emotions from euphoria to paranoia. For
+those of you who did not read it: it is a Microsoft internal study in
+which the strengths and weaknesses of Free Software in general and
+Linux especially are analyzed. The author basically concluded that
+Microsoft has two possibilities to counter the threat.</p>
+
+<p>
The first is the creation of new or modification of old protocols
documenting them only poorly or not at all, so that only Windows-based
-machines will have a working implementation.<BR>
-<P>
-One example of this tactic is the protocol used by HP "Cxi"
-printers which have entered the market as extremely cheap
-"Windows-Printers." The specifications have only been given
-to Microsoft, so these printers are not usable by any other
-system.<BR>
-<P>
-I have been told by a "professionally trained" computer salesperson that
-the "for Windows" sticker means that the printer needs a
-very special kind of RAM that only Windows machines have--that's why
-it cannot be used under Linux. Something like this confuses the
-typical user, which brings me directly to the second described
-tactic.<BR>
-<P>
-These tactics are usually gathered under the synonym "FUD" (Fear
-Uncertainty Doubt) and were used by IBM long before Microsoft
+machines will have a working implementation.</p>
+
+<p>
+One example of this tactic is the protocol used by HP
+“Cxi” printers which have entered the market as extremely
+cheap “Windows-Printers.” The specifications have only
+been given to Microsoft, so these printers are not usable by any other
+system.</p>
+
+<p>
+I have been told by a “professionally trained” computer
+salesperson that the “for Windows” sticker means that the
+printer needs a very special kind of RAM that only Windows machines
+have—that's why it cannot be used under Linux. Something like
+this confuses the typical user, which brings me directly to the second
+described tactic.</p>
+
+<p>
+These tactics are usually gathered under the synonym “FUD”
+(Fear Uncertainty Doubt) and were used by IBM long before Microsoft
unconvered them. The idea is clear: If you make someone uncertain
-enough, he or she will not dare to make <B>any</B> decission, effectively
-remaining in his or her current position. That is the thought.<BR>
-<P>
+enough, he or she will not dare to make <b>any</b> decission,
+effectively remaining in his or her current position. That is the
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>
For all times, education has been the arch-enemy of superstition.
We must not allow education to be hindered by allowing ourselves to
-become split.<BR>
-<P>
+become split.</p>
+
+<p>
The most recogniziable split in the recent history has been the
-already noted distinction between "Open Source" and "Free
-Software." Telling both concepts apart is not an easy task even for
-most insiders and it is only understandable if viewed in a historical
-context. Since this is a central point I'd like to say a few words
-about it.<BR>
-<P>
+already noted distinction between “Open Source” and
+“Free Software.” Telling both concepts apart is not an
+easy task even for most insiders and it is only understandable if
+viewed in a historical context. Since this is a central point I'd like
+to say a few words about it.</p>
+
+<p>
With the completion of the GNU System with the Linux Kernel there was
suddenly a complete, powerful, free system available. This inevitably
-had to raise the public's attention sooner or later.<BR>
-<P>
+had to raise the public's attention sooner or later.</p>
+
+<p>
When this attention came a lot of firms were disconcerted by the word
-"Free." The first association was "no money" which immediatly meant
-"no profit" for them. When people then tried to tell them the "Free"
-truly stands for "Freedom" they were completely shaken.<BR>
-<P>
+“Free.” The first association was “no money”
+which immediatly meant “no profit” for them. When people
+then tried to tell them the “Free” truly stands for
+“Freedom” they were completely shaken.</p>
+
+<p>
Infected by this insecurity and doubt the idea arose to avoid words
-like "Free" and "Freedom" at all costs. The term "Open Source" was
-born.<BR>
-<P>
-Admittedly it is easier to sell the idea is you use the term "Open
-Source" instead of "Free Software."<BR>
-But it has the consequence that the "newbies" have no knowledge or
-understanding of the original idea. It splits the movement and
-leads to incredibly unproductive trench wars that waste a huge amount
-of creative energy.<BR>
-<P>
-A larger interested audience does not mean we should talk less about the
-underlying philosophy. Quite to the contrary: the more people and
+like “Free” and “Freedom” at all costs. The
+term “Open Source” was born.</p>
+
+<p>
+Admittedly it is easier to sell the idea is you use the term
+“Open Source” instead of “Free
+Software.”<br />
+But it has the consequence that the “newbies” have no
+knowledge or understanding of the original idea. It splits the
+movement and leads to incredibly unproductive trench wars that waste a
+huge amount of creative energy.</p>
+
+<p>
+A larger interested audience does not mean we should talk less about
+the underlying philosophy. Quite to the contrary: the more people and
firms do not understand that this freedom is also in their interest,
the more we need to talk about it. The Freedom of software offers a
-huge potential for all of us--firms and users.<BR>
-<P>
+huge potential for all of us—firms and users.</p>
+
+<p>
The plan is not to remove capitalism or destroy firms. We want to
change the understanding of software for the benefit of all
participants to fit the needs of the 21 century. This is the core of
-the GNU Project.<BR>
-<P>
+the GNU Project.</p>
+
+<p>
Each of us can do his share - be it in form of a program,
documentation, or just by spreading the word that there is another way
-of handling things.<BR>
-<P>
-It is crucial to explain to the firms that Free Software is <B>no
-threat</B>, but an opportunity. Of course this doesn't happen
-overnight but
-when all participants realize the possibilities and perspectives, all
-of us will win. So if you are working in the software business, make
-yourself at home with the topic, talk about it with friends and
-colleagues. And please refrain from trying to "missionize" them--I
-know most of us have this tendency - the arguments speak for
-themselves. Give them the time and the peace to think it over and to
-befriend themselves with the concept. Show them that the concept of
-Freedom is nothing to be feared.<BR>
-<P>
+of handling things.</p>
+
+<p>
+It is crucial to explain to the firms that Free Software is <b>no
+threat</b>, but an opportunity. Of course this doesn't happen
+overnight but when all participants realize the possibilities and
+perspectives, all of us will win. So if you are working in the
+software business, make yourself at home with the topic, talk about it
+with friends and colleagues. And please refrain from trying to
+“missionize” them—I know most of us have this
+tendency - the arguments speak for themselves. Give them the time and
+the peace to think it over and to befriend themselves with the
+concept. Show them that the concept of Freedom is nothing to be
+feared.</p>
+
+<p>
I hope I was able to convey the philosophy or at least stimulate
-consideration of some new ideas. If you have questions or would like to
-discuss some things, I'll be here all night and all questions are
-welcome. I wish everyone a very interesting night. Thank you.<BR>
-<P>
-
-
-<HR>
-
-<H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4>
-
-<HR>
-
-Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>.
-<P>
-Please send FSF & GNU inquiries & questions to
-
-<A HREF="mailto:address@hidden";><EM>address@hidden</EM></A>.
-There are also <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to
-contact</A> the FSF.
-<P>
-Please send comments on this speech to
-<A HREF="mailto:address@hidden";><EM>address@hidden</EM></A>,
-send comments on these web pages to
-<A HREF="mailto:address@hidden";><EM>address@hidden</EM></A>,
-send other questions to
-<A HREF="mailto:address@hidden";><EM>address@hidden</EM></A>.
-<P>
-Copyright (C) 1998 Georg C. F. Greve
-<P>
-<A HREF="#TOCPermission" NAME="Permission">Permission</A>
- is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
-transcript as long as the copyright and this permission notice appear.
-<P>
+consideration of some new ideas. If you have questions or would like
+to discuss some things, I'll be here all night and all questions are
+welcome. I wish everyone a very interesting night. Thank you.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
+<div id="footer">
+
+<p>
+Please send FSF & GNU inquiries to
+<a href="mailto:address@hidden";><em>address@hidden</em></a>.
+There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
+the FSF.</p>
+<p>
+Please send comments on this speech to Georg Greve
+<a href="mailto:address@hidden";><em>address@hidden</em></a></p>
+
+<p>
+Please see the
+<a href="/server/standards/README.translations">Translations
+README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting
+translations of this article.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Copyright © 1998 Georg C. F. Greve
+<br />
+<a id="Permission">Permission</a> is granted to make and distribute
+verbatim copies of this transcript as long as the copyright and this
+permission notice appear.</p>
+
+<p>
Updated:
-<!-- hhmts start -->
-11 Dec 1999 jonas
-<!-- hhmts end -->
-<HR>
-</BODY>
-</HTML>
+<!-- timestamp start -->
+$Date: 2007/04/21 22:46:36 $
+<!-- timestamp end -->
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<div id="translations">
+<h4>Translations of this page</h4>
+
+<!-- Please keep this list alphabetical. -->
+<!-- Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is Deutsch.-->
+<!-- If you add a new language here, please -->
+<!-- advise address@hidden and add it to -->
+<!-- - /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->
+<!-- - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->
+<!-- - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->
+<!-- - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->
+<!-- to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->
+<!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->
+<!-- <URL:http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm> -->
+<!-- Please use W3C normative character entities -->
+
+<ul class="translations-list">
+<!-- German -->
+<li><a href="/philosophy/greve-clown.de.html">Deutsch</a> [de]</li>
+<!-- English -->
+<li><a href="/philisophy/greve-clown.en.html">English</a> [en]</li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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