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I have to listen to Richard Stallman tomorrow...

Deeko

Deeko

Lifer
So tomorrow Richard Stallman, the GNU king, is coming to give a talk at my school about why software patents are evil. That's great and all, the open source nerds can all go and salivate over him...why am I being forced to go for my GUI class??? Damn professors, forcing their agenda on the students...
 
Hahaha.. if nothing else it will be hilariously entertaining in a trainwreck sort of way. Pure awkwardness is a guarantee.
 
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Yeah, I really hate listening to perspectives other than my own. Don't those pesky profs realize I already know everything?
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yea...that's not the point at all. I'm paying my tuition dollars for a GUI class, and rather than a lecture on GUI, we're going to see someone talk about software patents, and its not optional. Attendance will be taken and a quiz on the talk will be given on Thursday. You can't see the problem here?
 
They're trying to encourage students to take an interest in the software development community at large. They could be doing worse things.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
So tomorrow Richard Stallman, the GNU king, is coming to give a talk at my school about why software patents are evil. That's great and all, the open source nerds can all go and salivate over him...why am I being forced to go for my GUI class??? Damn professors, forcing their agenda on the students...
Click to expand...

I personally would enjoy the opportunity, however you are correct it does not have anything to do with the class. The reason you are being forced to go is quite obvious, because the professor thinks it is valuable for students to attend, or who knows maybe for his own reasons. This is something that sounds like it'd be best to leave optional, but is it really going to traumatize you to listen to a speech?
 
You can't separate the technology from the business practices that bring it to market. I think more CS classes should talk about 'who, what, why, as well as how.' I applaud your prof's attempts at broadening your perspective.
 
I think that all Computer Science majors should have to hear a speech from Richard Stallman before they graduate. Sure, he's a free software hippie, but it's nice to know that some people are still in this business because they really like technology and just the money that can be made off of it.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Yeah, I really hate listening to perspectives other than my own. Don't those pesky profs realize I already know everything?
Click to expand...

yea...that's not the point at all. I'm paying my tuition dollars for a GUI class, and rather than a lecture on GUI, we're going to see someone talk about software patents, and its not optional. Attendance will be taken and a quiz on the talk will be given on Thursday. You can't see the problem here?
Click to expand...

Oh, I'm sure you cared about the tuition dollars you were wasting every time you skipped a class that actually was on-topic.

Your professor has office hours. If you don't feel you are getting the most out of what you're paying for the class, use his office hours to learn more.
 
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I think that all Computer Science majors should have to hear a speech from Richard Stallman before they graduate. Sure, he's a free software hippie, but it's nice to know that some people are still in this business because they really like technology and just the money that can be made off of it.
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We take a computer ethics class, and spend two weeks on Stallman's writings/speeches, and have to write our reactions to his ideas. its not like we aren't exposed to him.

Oh, I'm sure you cared about the tuition dollars you were wasting every time you skipped a class that actually was on-topic.

Your professor has office hours. If you don't feel you are getting the most out of what you're paying for the class, use his office hours to learn more.
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That's my choice to miss that class, in this case we don't have that choice. Also, this class doesn't have an attendance grade/policy. He's instituting it special just to make sure everyone goes to this speech. I'm sorry, make it optional and give the students the option to go, but don't force them to go. It has NOTHING to do with the subject matter.
 
Let me ask you this: Who do you plan on writing GUIs for? Perhaps Mr. Stallman can inform you of how open source can affect your choices for employment, satisfaction in your work and, your choices for making a difference in the world. There is more to an education than mastering the tech.
 
...Microsoft? haha, sorry Stallman

But in all seriousness, like I said above, in a previous class we already went over his ideas quite a bit. I agree that there's more than just mastering the technology - I'm a business minor and eventually want to be running a software department/company, I just don't like this professor's tactics, granted its early in the term so I don't know the guy too well but it seems to me like he's likely a big open source guy and he's using classtime to push his own non-related agenda.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
...Microsoft? haha, sorry Stallman

But in all seriousness, like I said above, in a previous class we already went over his ideas quite a bit. I agree that there's more than just mastering the technology - I'm a business minor and eventually want to be running a software department/company, I just don't like this professor's tactics, granted its early in the term so I don't know the guy too well but it seems to me like he's likely a big open source guy and he's using classtime to push his own non-related agenda.
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I'm sure that there will be a question and answer period after the speech... why not ask him what he has against software companies trying to stay in business by protecting their ideas through patents? Just because you have to attend his speech doesn't mean that you have to agree with him and can't express your own opinions.
 
Your prof may very well have an agenda that is not covered by the class outline. I've never had a CS prof who didn't try his or her best to sway the students towards their way of thinking. Especially, if you don't agree with the profs outlook on CS, the IT industry or the world in general, by listening to opposing views it forces you to re-examine your own perspective.

I usually take overlapping tech courses at the local community college while taking a CS course at the university because they DO give different perspectives. I'm not suggesting you do this but, I am suggesting you approach college more 'globally' rather than viewing it as a series of tech courses to plow through.
 
Besides, every professor tries to insert their personal opinions into their teachings.

For example, I had computer professors who thought that:

1) COBOL was still a very important programming language to learn. (Ugh.)
2) Java is the best programming language, and IBM's middleware products were the best out there. (I might not personally agree, but I have a lot of customers who do)
3) IT jobs are boring and low paying. Become a consultant instead. (Dammit, I should have listened to that guy more) 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
So tomorrow Richard Stallman, the GNU king, is coming to give a talk at my school about why software patents are evil. That's great and all, the open source nerds can all go and salivate over him...why am I being forced to go for my GUI class??? Damn professors, forcing their agenda on the students...
Click to expand...

hahahha, the indoctrination continues.

Write a letter to the press (call them actually) and the president of the UNI. Stop the indoctrination NOW!
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
...Microsoft? haha, sorry Stallman

But in all seriousness, like I said above, in a previous class we already went over his ideas quite a bit. I agree that there's more than just mastering the technology - I'm a business minor and eventually want to be running a software department/company, I just don't like this professor's tactics, granted its early in the term so I don't know the guy too well but it seems to me like he's likely a big open source guy and he's using classtime to push his own non-related agenda.
Click to expand...

Man, you're so ungrateful. It doesn't matter if you think open source is the only acceptable distribution model for software - you don't have to agree with the guy's ideas, you obviously can think for yourself. It's still a privilege to hear the guy speak. He's had a big impact on the industry whether you like him or not. There was an effort to get Larry Wall to speak at my college. I wouldn't have cared what class it was in, I'd have been happy to hear him speak. It wasn't uncommon for former students who stopped by campus to be asked to speak in classes. Hell even as a student I was asked to speak to a class full of underclassmen on a topic that was only marginally related to the course material. It's not uncommon to have class sessions that are not entirely on-topic.

<arnold>Stop whining!</arnold>
 
Ungrateful for what? A privilege to hear a guy speak? I've read his thoughts on the matter before, how is it different if I hear him say it live? Its the same thing.
 
You'll have an opportunity to ask questions I assume? This is your opportunity to set him straight. 😉
 
hahaha yea, set richard stallman straight. I might not disagree with EVERYTHING he stands for, but lets be serious - the guy is an extremist nutjob.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: Deeko
...Microsoft? haha, sorry Stallman

But in all seriousness, like I said above, in a previous class we already went over his ideas quite a bit. I agree that there's more than just mastering the technology - I'm a business minor and eventually want to be running a software department/company, I just don't like this professor's tactics, granted its early in the term so I don't know the guy too well but it seems to me like he's likely a big open source guy and he's using classtime to push his own non-related agenda.
Click to expand...

Man, you're so ungrateful. It doesn't matter if you think open source is the only acceptable distribution model for software - you don't have to agree with the guy's ideas, you obviously can think for yourself. It's still a privilege to hear the guy speak. He's had a big impact on the industry whether you like him or not. There was an effort to get Larry Wall to speak at my college. I wouldn't have cared what class it was in, I'd have been happy to hear him speak. It wasn't uncommon for former students who stopped by campus to be asked to speak in classes. Hell even as a student I was asked to speak to a class full of underclassmen on a topic that was only marginally related to the course material. It's not uncommon to have class sessions that are not entirely on-topic.

<arnold>Stop whining!</arnold>
Click to expand...

To be honest, I'd rather listen to Linus Torvalds speak than Richard Stallman. Linus had far more impact on the open source industry than Stallman did... Stallman's viewpoints are so extreme that many people have problems taking him seriously. Still, it never hurts to hear an alternative opinion once in awhile.

Besides, I had to listen to speakers all the time for class credit when I was in college. It was only way professors could guarantee that students would show up for the lectures.
 
Originally posted by: jman19
Wahhh my college prof is making me go to a lecture and I don't wanna go... :roll:

Grow up.
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another classic case of not actually reading or comprehending what is written. happens a lot on these forums.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
Originally posted by: jman19
Wahhh my college prof is making me go to a lecture and I don't wanna go... :roll:

Grow up.
Click to expand...

another classic case of not actually reading or comprehending what is written. happens a lot on these forums.
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Actually I did read the thread, and what I said still stands. You are basically bitching about going to this lecture.
 
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