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f8d 91/305: Use the Source
please vote for (128) or against (22) this comic

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f8d: I'm a big proponent of Free Software. Unfortunately many people don't actually know what the phrase means; and so I present the following example.

f8d: If you've ever watched a DVD then you've probably found, as I have, that some publishers try and make you watch trailers or other junk.

f8d: You press "forward" or "skip" on the remote and a little icon pops up indicating that's not allowed.

f8d: The publishers told the programmers and now the programmers are telling you: be a good consumer and watch the ads.

*diagram shows exchange: publishers say "make them watch ads", programmers say "okay"; programmers say "you have to watch ads", consumers say "yes, we do"*

f8d: But anyone can modify Free Software; anti-features like compulsary advert viewing will simply be removed by the first annoyed programmer.

*diagram shows exchange: publishers say "you have to watch ads", programmers/consumers say "no, we don't"*

f8d: And that's more or less it. Which do you prefer?

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