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.(Overton window: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window )This doesn't mean he's right but what he does is necessary. If he didn't exist we'd need to invent him (or someone like him).(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.)