SLASHDOT DEBATE - ANONYMOUS COWARDS

[1/5] from: robbo1mark::aol::com at: 23-May-2001 11:32

ANONYMOUS COWARDS Further to the current Slashdot debate about REBOL and closed source languages in general it seems that some inspired people choose to vociferously promote their opinions and diss other peoples opinions and preferred development model in an exceedingly confrontational way. Notice they do so however under the psudonym of Anonymous Coward . It would seem that we are seeing these people for what they really are and that is "Anonymous Cowards" without even the gumption to put their own name to their convictions and opinions. Whilst some people may consider me to be a pushy religious person and have called me this at various times surely there is more integrity in standing up and being counted for what you believe in rather than hiding behind a pseudonym for fear of being slashdotted. Whoever wrote these remarks on Slashdot know who they are! but if that is really their opinions that the closed development model is really so much better for REBOL and software technology in general then why not stand up for your beliefs, come out from hiding and put your name to your comments. Is saying "I prefer the closed model of development" really something you feel afraid to say ( even on /. ) and have to hide behind "Anonymous Coward". Everybody is entitled to their own opinions, the market and consumers will decide the long term success and viability of the different models of development, it will be historians that document & explain this, I think there is a place for both models of development as they both have their strengths and weaknesses. I've no time or respect for "zealots" on either side of the debate, especially those without even the courage of their convictions to put their names to their views. MAKE DATATYPE! ANONYMOUS-COWARDS! Mark Dickson

[2/5] from: woodward:shore at: 23-May-2001 12:03

OFF TOPIC On Wed, 23 May 2001 [Robbo1Mark--aol--com] wrote:

> ANONYMOUS COWARDS > Notice they do so however under the psudonym of

<<quoted lines omitted: 3>>

> the gumption to put their own name to their > convictions and opinions.

Ahh the joys of "freedom of speech". The ability to espouse dissenting opinions, especially anonymously is the cornerstone of free speech. Assuming you're not saying anything libel ridden, or blatently dangerous - such as shouting fire in a crowded theater, you absolutely have the right to say things and publish things anonymously - especially as it regards political views. (at least here in the US) Having said that, you'll note that I did not publish my thoughts anonymously on /., You can find them under my moniker, "Woodie" - and I even signed my own name. - Porter Woodward //\[Woodward--shore--net] - finger [woodward--shore--net] for PGP key. // \http://www3.shore.net/~woodward/ \\ //----\Out of sorts? Heck, I'm out of most algorithms. \X/ \MiGA - Make up your own mind. "Spoon!" In a world without fences, who needs Gates?

[3/5] from: jeff:rebol at: 23-May-2001 9:30

Howdy, Mark:

> [Lots of vitriol about anonymous cowards defending merits > of closed source ] > > MAKE DATATYPE! ANONYMOUS-COWARDS!

Hey man, lighten up! SHHHHEEEEESH!! You're gunna give yourself a stroke!! :-) Golly-- If whoever posted their opinions anonymously has roused this much anger in you because of how they posted them, then it's probably a good thing they posted anonymously. Long live privacy and freedom! (: -jeff

[4/5] from: robbo1mark:aol at: 23-May-2001 13:59

JEFF, Iam not angry or upset in anyway about anything anybody said on slashdot about the merits or otherwise of their opinions, the only thing that peturbed me a bit was that somebody, I presume from our community, could be so deliberatley antagonistic & provocative yet hide behind anonimity, they got trolled down to zero score anyway by the slashdot moderators. Iam all for privacy & freedom on the net, you all should know that, however I'm all for people who nail their colours to their particular mast, even if I disagree with them. I'm not a slashdot flamer! Discuss, disagree, debate, consensus yes! Cheap shots & insults at other peoples values or opinions from behind a cloak anonimity then No! Of course they're free to do that, doesn't mean they deserve any respect for doing so. We should be a grown up community & show that face to the outside world, not post cheap diatribe on either side of the closed / open source software debate. Thats all. Mark Dickson In a message dated Wed, 23 May 2001 12:58:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Jeff Kreis <[jeff--rebol--net]> writes: << Howdy, Mark:

> [Lots of vitriol about anonymous cowards defending merits > of closed source ] > > MAKE DATATYPE! ANONYMOUS-COWARDS!

[5/5] from: carl:cybercraft at: 24-May-2001 10:34

On 24-May-01, [Robbo1Mark--aol--com] wrote:

> JEFF, > Iam not angry or upset in anyway about anything anybody said on

<<quoted lines omitted: 3>>

> hide behind anonimity, they got trolled down to zero score anyway by > the slashdot moderators.

Aren't all the Anon Cowards on /. just people who haven't registered? Meaning if the did give their name they'd be called Anon anyway? -- Carl Read [carl--cybercraft--co--nz]

Notes

Quoted lines have been omitted from some messages.
View the message alone to see the lines that have been omitted