Anti-MS Rally Proposes Win7 an 'Attack on Freedom'

A campaign group known as The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has accused Microsoft and its upcoming Windows 7 operating system of seven sins against freedom.

The freedom in this case does not pertain to whether or not companies charge for their software, but rather the way it affects the user's rights to control their software.

The group has written an open letter and sent it to CEOs of 499 of the leading 500 corporations asking them to consider carefully whether or not to upgrade to Windows 7. Of course, the FSF didn't think it was worth sending the copy to Microsoft, though oddly enough, a copy of the letter was sent to Apple.

Security, Privacy Violations, and More

While the letter gives an overall picture of the objections, a separate press release lists the seven specific points on which the FSF says Windows 7 offends, namely: "invading privacy, poisoning education, locking users in, abusing standards, leveraging monopolistic behavior, enforcing Digital Restrictions Management (DRM), and threatening user security." (Source: fsf.org)

In the letter, the group stresses the security point, arguing that because Windows code is secretive, it's not as easy for users or independent security researchers to examine it and identify and share news about potential flaws.

The group also held a public rally on Boston Common, the first time it has held such a physical protest.

Change of Tactics

The campaign represents an ongoing change of tactics for groups such as The Free Software Foundation. Previously, it had concentrated on promoting the benefits of 'free' software; today it appears to be putting more effort into attacking proprietary products such as MS Windows.

Some suggest such negative tactics won't work, however. Steven Vaughan-Nichols, who blogs as "Cyber Cynic," says such attacks will only appeal to people who are already anti-Microsoft. Instead, Vaughan-Nichols believes The Free Software Foundation should find it much more effective to tell corporate bosses how 'free' software can help their companies. (Source: computerworld.com)