[wonko1]

His reasoning that it uses "non-free JavaScript" seems a bit redundant these days (given that almost every site does).

I always value Stallman's commitment, but it's often impractical to maintain while being a productive member of society.

Keeps me considering the possibility of freer alternatives though, and I find it valuable for that reason alone.

[bleahYuck]

Just because everybody does it, doesn't make it right.

[kome]

Indeed. The web is sick of JavaScript, and I mean it. JavaScript is used 70% of the time for totally unnecessary stuff, than makes the web slower and full of cruft.

[rabbyte]

Just because it's right, doesn't make it practical.

It can be occupy protesters who own iPhones to coordinate or open source purists who use Slack to join projects they love or environmentalists filling their gas tank. In the end, there has to be a more practical strategy that enables a person to fight for the world they want while living in the world that exists.

[kuschku]

> open source purists who use Slack

That is inexcusable, though.

There are more alternatives than you can count, if you use Matrix, Mattermost, some webirc system with included bouncer, or whatever.

[rabbyte]

You misunderstand. It was not the open source purist that chose Slack, it was the wave of popular projects all on Slack the open source purist could no longer resist joining. The alternative to Slack in their case isn't IRC, it's doing another line of work as all the projects within their chosen area of expertise are on Slack. Same is true of my other examples, there's a tipping point where your principled stance forces you to be an outlier, completely irrelevant to the world.

edit- In this case, the open source purist has to join Slack if only to beg people to go to IRC, a move that is at that point more energy than the community will think worth the purists principled gain.

[LeanderK]

But just because a minority does it, doesn't make it right (correct english?).

I don't share his definition of freedom applied to software, simple as that. I also don't think most of the society shares his values, i often get the idea that he lives in a bubble. Like somebody preaching abstinence instead of birth-control.

I get that "free software" has advantages, but for me it also has disadvantages and therefore can and should not replace all the "unfree software".

[wonko1]

Doesn't make it right, but doesn't seem worth mentioning if you're talking about specific issues with Google, rather than websites in general.

[unixhero]

Insert Godwin's Law here