This man might have been a great programmer, but as an activist, he's a joke.
Activists raise consciouness of an issue, and he seems to be doing that quite fine - who else is fighting the same fight with the effectiveness he is? If he weren't around... where are the public figures making his argument and getting press inches?
Also, minor differences he's capable of - he's apparently given up on the hurd kernel due to the linux kernel being top dog, despite not fully approving of it.
> Activists raise consciouness of an issue, and he seems to be doing that quite fine
Are you sure? Afaik, he's only reaching us, insiders. If you want to convince a non-nerd about using free software, would you dare using material that RMS produced? Would you show them a recording of him speaking?
> Also, minor differences he's capable of - he's apparently given up on the hurd kernel due to the linux kernel being top dog, despite not fully approving of it.
That's super fucking nobody-cares-about-that-shit minor. Really. Which kernel you use is not what free software is about.
If you read the dead comment below, you'll see he's very popular in the developing word. As for the developed world, what tech activists get any more traction with the non-nerds? It's not just a matter of saying 'here, my friend, watch this' as that doesn't really happen, it's a matter of the message being raised and pursued. No-one is going to make a non-nerd sit through a lecture on software patents, no matter who does the speaking. But guys like RMS keep us aware that there is an issue.
Regarding the dead comment itself, I have absolutely no idea why the comment below is dead - it simply says he's popular, then uses Jobs' own words about misfits and troublemakers to defend the man. Apparently HN has interpreted this as "misfits and troublemakers you like", which kinda runs counter to the context of the paragraph. RMS fits almost everything in the comment.
The fact that that comment is dead - polite, informative, insightful - is just further evidence that the moderation system on HN needs an overhaul.
You are right he only reaches insiders, but I don't think that is a problem: you also need the hardcore activists that preach to the other activists, to keep them straight on target. Outside of people like RMS and foundations like Debian, 'free' has become polluted in all kinds of ways. At some poiny, RMS no longer needed to evangelize 'free software', as plenty of others are doing that already. Instead, watches the watchers. And they watch him and grumble, rightfully and wrongfully.
Activists raise consciouness of an issue, and he seems to be doing that quite fine - who else is fighting the same fight with the effectiveness he is? If he weren't around... where are the public figures making his argument and getting press inches?
Also, minor differences he's capable of - he's apparently given up on the hurd kernel due to the linux kernel being top dog, despite not fully approving of it.