My opinion is "unbiased" because like many users I am conflicted. I support
FSF and its efforts to promote free software without necessarily obeying
their every suggestion. I respect RMS but think that his way is very
controlling and limiting, the opposite of what he sees it as. I also support
the Linux Foundation and the efforts of Linus Torvalds to improve the kernel
and make Linux better. I don't think it is all or nothing, winner take all.
In fact I am a member of each body.
As for the Mono conflict, I have made up my mind which is why I now use KDE
because it does not involve Mono at all. My son is a Linux advocate and
thinks that Miguel de Icaza is brilliant and a visionary. Time will tell. In
the mean time, I watch and wait. I follow these things closer than most.
Like many Linux users I am wary of Microsoft and any efforts to cuddle up. I
have watched them use that same technique to kill too many innovations and
reduce competition to take it lightly. Miguel de Icaza, Novell and Mono are
controversial at best and dangerous at worst.
Arturo,
When you install restricted packages then you do so in the knowledge that
they are just that. You therefore assume all responsibility for their use.
If a copyright or license exists then you must bear that in mind and follow
the laws of your country. It is not likely that you would be prosecuted
under the laws of another country.
However, bear in mind that taking a laptop into the US with its security
worries entails risk. They have the legal right to seize your laptop without
reason and keep it for thirty days. During this time they can and probably
will clone your drive. It is all about collecting data which is going into
databases in facilities being constructed by the NSA in the deserts in Utah.
They want to know everything about everybody. They aren't building these
super centres to sit idle. Everything you write is being collected and
analyzed. Even this conversation. If we think otherwise we are deluding
ourselves. Big Brother is watching. I think that the UK is headed for the
same thing. I just read a BBC article that every email, phone call, etc. is
being recorded. I don't want to single out the US. It is the way the world
is going.
In this I disagree with Mark. They don't need a reason. The law gives them
carte blanche. They do it as a matter of policy in the name of security.
They just decide to randomly grab X number of laptops because that is the
way bureaucrats think. That's what happens when bean counters and spooks
have all the authority they need.
What they choose to do with this information is anybody's guess. They are
not likely to share this info with the FBI which enforces the law, so you
are probably safe. But then again you lose your laptop for weeks. Is it
worth it? Many people use Google Docs or services that upload files to the
net such as Ubuntu One or Dropbox to protect themselves when they travel
abroad.
The things that you don't think of when you leave your own country usually
come back to haunt you. Not long ago I could cross the border without
showing ID and would be greeted with a smile and a polite friendly border
guard. Now I am viewed with suspicion and seen as a threat. I have not
changed. The same can be said for Americans travelling to my country. The
innocence is lost and the world is no longer seen as a safe place. But the
bad guys may not be who you think. ;)
Roy
Linux: Fast, friendly, flexible and Free!
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2009/11/12 Darksyde <m_alexander61@yahoo.com>
>
>
>
>
> --- In LINUX_Newbies@yahoogroups.com <LINUX_Newbies%40yahoogroups.com>,
> Arturo Ovalle <dr_ovalle@...> wrote:
> >
> > About something than someone commented in this post. I live in Mexico, so
> I can install restricted drivers and that is not illegal in my county. How
> do you people in USA manage to make your computers work properly (wireless,
> graphic cards), without restricted drivers? I'd like to know that. And if I
> travel to USA with my laptop using restricted drivers, is that illegal too?
> >
> >
> > Encuentra las mejores recetas en Yahoo! Cocina.
> > http://mx.mujer.yahoo.com/cocina/
> >
> Good question, Arturo! Unless I'm mistaken, the drivers for wifi and such
> are not proprietary unless the company chooses to make it so. Whenever I
> download a distro to try out I always get the "main" edition which includes
> drivers and codecs not always available in other editions.
> As far as your laptop being illegal when you come to the U.S., I seriously
> doubt it as long as you are using it for personal use. Hell, I doubt that
> your system would ever be noticed to be non-complaint with U.S. law, nor
> would you face any penalty even if it was.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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