On 5/22/2009 6:13 PM, Bill Davidsen wrote: > Paul W. Frields wrote: >> On Fri, 2009-05-22 at 08:07 -0600, Christopher A. Williams wrote: > >> >> I think you inferred something I didn't mean. I wrote that Adobe Flash >> was "not a method of *first resort* for people who care about software >> freedom." (emphasis added) >> > I think it depends on your version of "care." And I don't think you will > state it to everyone's satisfaction, because it's a religious thing. > There is a range of user choice from "only commercial because it must be > good, I paid for it," to "I'll do without if I can't use free software." > I fall in the "I'll use the free tools if they work and something else > when necessary." > > In the case of Flash, people are locked in not by Adobe, but by the > people who use the format on their sites and in their files. And FOSS > tools are playing a game of catch-up, with varying degrees of success. > > >> first resort for you. You tried gnash and swfdec, and found that they >> were not yet at the level of capability needed to support your work. >> Only then did you resort to Adobe Flash. And that's precisely the case >> I thought I was making. I have no doubt about your commitment to >> software freedom! :-) >> >> I am in the exact same boat. I need Flash frequently to view >> proceedings from conferences and on other sites where I track >> information about Fedora. I try swfdec and gnash regularly to see how >> they're working, and if I can get reasonably close to information that >> would help the projects, I file bugs. And then I resort to Adobe Flash >> after that. >> > Precisely the point, you are locked in by the choices of the media > creator. And Flash, like mp3, is simply the standard by which people > have chosen to operate. > >> There are probably people using Fedora who don't care as much about >> software freedom, and just want a working Adobe Flash. For them, it may >> be a matter of first resort, and so that admonition hopefully tells them >> there are alternatives that may work for them, depending on the >> Flash-based sites they frequent. >> >> Is there a better way I could put this so it's not misunderstood? >> > I think you have done a fine job, and as noted you are not going to > please everyone on this topic. Don't agonize because you haven't made > everyone happy, adjust your message until all sides are equally unhappy, > that way you know you are being unbiased. I agree with you. I work in the construction industry. Many, too many, years. I do not program, nor do I claim to know much about it. I use a hammer, of the correct weight and design, to drive nails or rivets. I use a screwdriver of the correct size and design to turn screws. Same with wrenches. I do *not* use the screwdriver to drive nails. Nor the hammer to turn screws. Or the wrench to paint. If the tool that I have does not work correctly I get a proper one that does work. I feed my family with the money I earn with those tools. I'll be da**ed if they go hungry because I don't use the proper tool. The one that works. Just for a cause. -- David -- fedora-test-list mailing list fedora-test-list@xxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe: https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-test-list
