On Thursday 13 July 2006 08:50, "Mark Knecht" wrote about 'Re: [gentoo-amd64] Re: Dual Head': > On 7/13/06, Duncan <1i5t5.duncan@cox.net> wrote: > > slaveryware > > freedomware > > > Must we use such charged language around here? Duncan's had this discussion with a number of people, I'm sure. I seem to remember this list (or another gentoo list) having a small sub-thread about it. Actually, it got me thinking and, now, among company that understands the sentiment I use the same terminology along with smatterings of "too bad I can't use in the free world". I choose not to use it on the list or most other setting, because it rubs some people wrong, particularly the word "slaveryware" [1]. Generally, this is because people see it as making light of slavery. I don't; EULAs and the vast majority of software licenses in use today *do* take away your rights and attempt to put you in shackles so you can't get away. It's unfortunate that people see this as acceptable, but then again there were hundreds of years of human history in which slavery was seen as acceptable. Then again, I'm pretty far "out there" even among my friends. Just as selling yourself into slavery was made illegal, I do see a time when Rule of Law will prevent one from giving/trading/selling away their software freedoms. I do hope that there are some allowances made from the artistic/creative aspects of source code (and software in general). In any case, Duncan's not going to change. If you are offended I encourage you to take up the issue with Duncan off-list. If that will/does not satisfy you, you will probably need to just killfile Duncan and hope "such charged language" doesn't get quoted too often. -- "If there's one thing we've established over the years, it's that the vast majority of our users don't have the slightest clue what's best for them in terms of package stability." -- Gentoo Developer Ciaran McCreesh [1] "Freedomware" is usually less of an issue since it's really just a alternate shortening of "Free/Libre, Open-Source Software" normally "F/LOSS". Personally I like "freedomware" because it helps emphasize what Stallman, GNU, and the FSF provide with their software: freedom.