🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <199502112331.SAA24982@pogo.gnu.ai.mit.edu>, rms@gnu.ai.mit.edu
(Richard Stallman) wrote:

> Reportedly Wolfram Research has decided not to support Mathematica on
> GNU/Linux systems, because users would be able to change the kernel to
> work around certain deliberately inserted bugs designed to make
> Mathematica crash in some circumstances.
> 
> I'm sure it is possible to implement binary emulation for some other
> system which Mathematica does run on.  This would be useful for many
> purposes, of course, not just for running Mathematica.
> 
> But I wouldn't recommend running Mathematica in this way.  Using
> proprietary software is not good for you.  The decision not to make
> Mathematica run on free operating systems, like the built-in bugs,
> stem from the fact that Mathematica comes with chains for users to
> wear.
> 
> There are two ways a person with special knowledge can handle it:
> either teach other people, to help them, or withhold it, to gain power
> over them.  One is the paradigm of good; the other, of evil.  A
> person's actions are usually a mixture of the two; but events
> sometimes reveal that a person has chosen one or the other as his
> priority.  We see Wolfram's choice.
> 
> Hoarders can get power over you by making programs proprietary because
> you feeling that you need the programs.  The more you get used to
> feeling you need them, the harder it is to refuse demands.  That's why
> using proprietary programs like Mathematica is not good for you: it
> trains you to a habit of helplessness.
> 
> The way make yourself immune to the owners' power is to say, "I don't
> need this program.  And with those conditions, I don't want it."

There is no truth to the suggestion that Wolfram Research has made 
any decision not to support Mathematica on GNU/Linux systems. In
particular the idea that there are any "deliberately inserted bugs 
designed to make Mathematica crash in some circumstances" is
complete nonsense. Mr Stallman should probably check his information
before posting.

Wolfram Research is in fact in the process of testing a version
of Mathematica for Linux. If everything goes according to plan
it will be shipping by the second quarter of this year.

For further information about availability of Mathematica for 
Linix contact Wolfram Research at info@wri.com.

I hope this clarifies things.

--Ian

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Ian Collier
Wolfram Research, Inc.
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