"Free as in Freedom" interweaves biographical snapshots of GNU
project founder Richard Stallman with the political, social and
economic history of the free software movement. It examines
Stallman's unique personality and how that personality has been at
turns a driving force and a drawback in terms of the movement's
overall success.
"Free as in Freedom" examines one man's 20-year attempt to
codify and communicate the ethics of 1970s era "hacking" culture in
such a way that later generations might easily share and build upon
the knowledge of their computing forebears. The book documents
Stallman's personal evolution from teenage misfit to prescient
adult hacker to political leader and examines how that evolution
has shaped the free software movement. Like Alan Greenspan in the
financial sector, Richard Stallman has assumed the role of tribal
elder within the hacking community, a community that bills itself
as anarchic and averse to central leadership or authority. How did
this paradox come about? "Free as in Freedom" provides an answer.
It also looks at how the latest twists and turns in the software
marketplace have diminished Stallman's leadership role in some
areas while augmenting it in others.
Finally, "Free as in Freedom" examines both Stallman and the
free software movement from historical viewpoint. Will future
generations see Stallman as a genius or crackpot? The answer to
that question depends partly on which side of the free software
debate the reader currently stands and partly upon the reader's own
outlook for the future. 100 years from now, when terms such as
"computer," "operating system" and perhaps even "software" itself
seem hopelessly quaint, will Richard Stallman's particular vision
of freedom still resonate, or will it have taken its place
alongside other utopian concepts on the 'ash-heap of history?'
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
