Path: utzoo!yunexus!telly!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!IONVAX.TN.CORNELL.EDU!hurf
From: hurf@IONVAX.TN.CORNELL.EDU (Hurf Sheldon)
Newsgroups: gnu.gcc
Subject: Re:  GNU is GNU - just not Apple
Message-ID: <8903221740.AA16279@ionvax.tn.cornell.edu>
Date: 22 Mar 89 17:40:38 GMT
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	Subject: GNU is GNU - just not Apple
	
	
	While the flame was certianly worded strongly it perhaps
	indicates the level of feeling associated with Apple's
	being ostracized by RMS (with the support of many). It
	may be a time for RMS to reevaluate the pros and cons of
	his stance against Apple - In most wars it is the soldiers
	who get hurt the most. It is clear to anyone who looks that
	Apple is a house divided right now and no matter which view
	holds sway, the Apple people who don't agree with the way
	things are going now should be supported in their dilemma
	rather than punished for it. There are many good minds at 
	Apple and to ignore their work and desire to contribute 
	because of their return address will only build bad feelings
	for years to come. I don't see the need.

	On the other hand:

	Applecorps[wo]men should be aware that there is substantial feeling
	among the computing community that A/UX was/is being handled 
	badly, and the 'We're Apple, so you can't criticize us' attitude
	has alienated a greater number of customers, prospective, past and
	present, than you might imagine. Further more the
	very great lengths that Apple went to to put Macs with MacOs in
	users hands has not happened with A/UX. In fact Sun and DEC's
	actions in this field (as well as Xenix on 386PC's, IBM RT's)
	have essentially relegated an A/UX MacII to the status of the
	Edsel. Many share a sense of frustration at seeing this happen, we
	had such great hopes. It is also sad to see the original
	spirit at Apple so watered down by 'marketing' considerations.
	RMS's reaction to Apple's actions spoke in one way or another
	for a very large segment of the community. It sounds like somebody
	got the message. The 'computing' community felt let down by
	Apple long before RMS spoke his mind. 

	Claimer:

	We are all part of a 'community' and no community benefits from 
	the polarization of views in the long term. You have to leave
	room for dissent, not have a room for dissent.

					
					Hurf Sheldon