they need to guard their credibility
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| gus3 Jun 16, 2010 10:26 AM EDT |
Until they have a "proprietary trolls and astroturfing toadies need not apply" rule, and enforce it, their reputation will be sub-par, and they won't have our support. Further, by throwing it open to everyone, they've put their efforts at tremendous risk. Did the OSI learn nothing from the ISO-Office Open XML debacle? |
| tuxchick Jun 16, 2010 8:09 PM EDT |
I like the put-up-or-shut-up message. But he lost me at "...businesses - being non-persons - lacked any way to embrace a philosophical principle." Totally wrong--- they are people. Or rather, they are run by people. Is there any difference? Not to me. There is no such thing as a business that somehow operates, makes decisions, and takes actions all by itself, without humans. People have ethics, morals, philosophies, biases, preferences, viewpoints, and so on, and all of these shape how a business is run and what it does. So don't gimme no cr@p how businesses cannot "embrace a philosophical principle." They all do, every minute of every day. For some it's profit at any cost. For others there are considerations beyond the single-minded amoral pursuit of wealth such as providing good jobs, creating great products, providing the best customer service, contributing to the local community, and so on. |
| jdixon Jun 16, 2010 9:43 PM EDT |
> Totally wrong--- they are people. Or rather, they are run by people. Yes. But by people who can (and sometimes do) change at the drop of a hat. SCO is but one example of such a change. Given that, it's unwise to count on the ethics of any company remaining the same over an extended period. |
| jezuch Jun 17, 2010 2:21 AM EDT |
Quoting:There is no such thing as a business that somehow operates, makes decisions, and takes actions all by itself, without humans. Two buts: 1) Computers and "decision support" systems - once they drop the "support" part you have a truly soulless corporation. 2) Bureucracy. 'nuff said. |
| TxtEdMacs Jun 17, 2010 8:17 AM EDT |
Never underrate the effect of pure cash, no matter what's its source. |
| caitlyn Jun 17, 2010 11:42 AM EDT |
No serious tag Txt? It happens that I quite seriously agree with what you said. The overwhelming motivator for business is always the bottom line. Still, tc has a point. Business owners and decision makers do understand philosophical positions. They will often adopt them if they feel it can boost sales and be used as a marketing tool. Why do you think so many businesses claim to be green? Even BP had advertising touting their green credentials in the U.S. before their massive oil spill. |
| TxtEdMacs Jun 17, 2010 4:23 PM EDT |
caitlyn, Humor is serious business. So who needs the serious tags? YBT |
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