[Liverpool] Software freedom (problems at the University)

[Vladimir]

hello, dave!

it is not an issue of the OS of a choice. i do run MacOS for the reason of
using one
application for my work which has no equivalents in linux or windows - Logic
Pro.
as I said - my macbook is dual-boot machine anyway (Gentoo + OSX) and I am
writing this
lines now from Gentoo environment.
there's no problem for me to connect to the network. but the EULA
there is not acceptable, and I wouldn't sign it under any circumstances
running
windows, linux or osx. the EULA shouldn't be there, in the binary. rob ward
admitted it.
so now they have to remove it. they can't do it themselves, sophos has to.
i suggested them that they would simply do what they did when this issue was
raised by me
a year ago - simply register my hw addr to the network, and that's it. but
no, now they insist
on the policy. and the policy employs double standards. there's no need to
install sophos
for iPhone (that obviously runs OSX), Symbian, WinMobile. so there's a
precedent when
the rules are bent. not allowing the same case with me is hypocrisy.
therefore I will press them
to clean up their act.

.v

2009/12/17 Dave Love <d.love at liverpool.ac.uk>

> If you care about software freedom, don't run MacOS.  There's no problem
> connecting free software OSs to the network as far as I know (unless the
> wireless NAC is different for students, which I don't think it is, but
> can check).  My Ubuntu laptop connects through Eduroam/Superroamnet on
> this campus and others, and vpnc gets me into the VPN under
> network-manager as does the equivalent on my N800 (which, OK, is running
> only partly free software).  My desktop is also GNU/Linux, although it
> was connected under a different régime.
>
> Posting private mail is generally not wise and I wouldn't be surprised
> if it could be construed as contravening the acceptable use guidelines
> you have signed up to.  There are probably more constructive ways to
> help those of us interested in supporting free software (especially for
> anyone in the university involved in research).  FYI, Rob Ward is
> sometimes seen wearing a RedHat t-shirt, one of the university network
> team might be considered a Mac bigot, and the other one is certainly
> knowledgeable about GNU/Linux.
>
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>
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