Eric Raymond: Why I think RMS is a fanatic, and why that matters
We need people like RMS. He marks one side of the Overton Window framing the debate on freedom and software.<p>(Overton window: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window</a> )<p>This doesn't mean he's <i>right</i> but what he does is <i>necessary</i>. If he didn't exist we'd need to invent him (or someone like him).<p>(Oh, and he is indeed a fanatic, but of the pacifist variety -- not the kind who's interested in killing people to enforce his views -- and therefore worth debating with.)