Don't join the 'Revolution'

There is a movement afoot called the Freeware Revolution, whose main goals are to educate and inform people about the oft misunderstood idea of what freeware is (and isn't). But I have thought long and hard about telling others about learning about it and participating in and/or joining it, and then a lightbulb so bright went off in my head - NOT everyone can understand, respect or appreciate freeware or be able to be a part of such a cause. It was my misguided thinking that told me that everyone should know and that everyone would want to come along, which was a flight of fancy that now has been rationalised and I know that it is only for those who are truly concerned for and about others.

It is a forum to actually do things outside the selfish circle that some may dwell in. I laugh when I actually wander back in time and believed that everyone and anyone would understand what it is all about and for. So I now say, if you have an ego or are close minded, DO NOT JOIN. If you are one who cannot get along with others and must be the performing chimp who lives for the attention of being 'paid attention to', DO NOT participate or even go near this group. Perhaps auditioning for a 'reality television show' (oxymoron) is a better course to take. Maybe writing an angry blog or anti-whatever you despise site is more in line with your personality.

We all have free will, and freedom of thought and freedom of speech, right? We all can say whatever we want? Right? There are no boundaries, no parameters, it is 1,000% acceptable to insult and namecall and single people, companies or groups out....that is after all what free speech is, isn't it?

And working to better the internet experience of those less financially well off, well that isn't anyone's responsibility now is it? If you have a good paying job, you are ENTITLED to do as you please right?

If you answered yes to even one of those preceeding questions, you should block your'e being able to access the Freeware Revolution's messageboard as well as those sites and individuals who truly support it, for you would only be wasting your undoubtably valuable time by bothering with any of us.

The Revolution is not a rewarding endeavor in the traditional (traffic, noteriety) sense, it's reward is in the service provided, that the message spread is greater than any one member or even all those committed to it combined. It is helping many whose lives would be so very limited and whose chance to learn, grow and become enabled. Education can accomplish more than any madman can ever hope to.

Our greatest leaders have been those who call others to rational and united action(s) to improve problems and to accomplish this via education/empowerment...for look to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King who said, "The limitation of riots, moral questions aside, is that they cannot win and their participants know it. Hence, rioting is not revolutionary but reactionary because it invites defeat. It involves an emotional catharsis, but it must be followed by a sense of futility." ...or when he said, "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity." or him saying, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." he also wisely said, "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." And he once stated, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Dr. King never endorsed radicalism nor hatred for those who were ignorant and closeminded, he sought to educate so as to enable all peoples.

We have so many great figures throught out history whose words were and continue to inspire us to go outside our selfish restraints. The Revolution is a bold set of individuals, who aspire to better the Net, they exemplify what Shakespeare wrote, "Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.". It also brings to mind yet another Shakespeare quote, "No legacy is so rich as honesty.", think about that - 'honesty'....ponder to yourself what you consider honesty means. Or the oft referred to, "To be, or not to be: that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles", perhaps that distsills what is lacking in the online world, the desire to address the sea of troubles/problems or is it nobler to aspire to outrageous fortune? In 2003, "outrageous fortune" is to achieve success, which to many dullards is equated to traffic/visibility/power. Is THAT nobler? Will THAT mean anything in 5 years?

NO......5 years from now, if there is still any freedom truly available online, I may post this Shakespearean inspired passage...
Alas poor freeware I knew you well....were not for the egos and callousnesses of the depraved, we would see you now as the brightest light upon yon internet, but you were treated as a concubine and used for the sole motive of fame...fame, so fleeting that the very opiate that it is to some, each moment loses it's potency and so withers more souls who serve you - their master......
Sleep dear sweet freeware, rest and know not the torments that so many cast upon ye.....know the peace of eternity and look back not on the possibilities and lives you may have perchance enriched.......gaze upon the void and smirk with the knowledge of what you had done in your brief time in this troubled place....be all those whose trespasses against ye be remembered, for we shall not see the likes of ye again....may my tears turn to cascading streams that may soothe you and release my some of my sorrows of your ascention from this mire....

But if you do care about the future of freeware...then my friend, find out about the Freeware Revolution. For we can stop the slow death and prostituting of freeware..NOW.

Sincerely,
Lis