May 16, 2005

Penguin in the Pew is possibly one of the most important books in the Christian community today. Not only does it introduce the church office staff to free and open source software, it raises questions about software licenses that every Christian needs to answer. Whether you are a technologist, the Pastor, or a Christian in the pew, you need to be aware of the freedom you stand to lose when you choose the software you will run.
posted by SideDish 19 years ago
  • Not quite sure what the point of the 2.0 PDF is, since it seems to be available only for purchase. The 1.0 PDF is available here. Checking it out now.
  • Why did I get lost with this when the guy stated that this is the "most important book in the xtian community today"... guess all the other problems are solved.... :-\ but..the little picture of the penquin in the church made me think it was a good idea to send the little guys down the asle of the local evangelical faith place this coming sunday.
  • The weirdest paragraph is at the bottom of the primary link page: When Richard M. Stallman, a devout atheist, chose to develop free software, it was because he truly valued freedom. Stallman's purpose has not been lost on Parris, who recognizes that, behind the GNU General Public License is a philosophy that values freedom. To use the software merely for the sake of the phenomenal technology is to miss the point. This is what Christians everywhere need to discuss and debate. It is also what makes Penguin in the Pew so important to Christians today. The PDF is very pro-Linux. Not sure what this paragraph means or what difference it could possibly make whether or not Stallman is an atheist. This basically looks like a tech guy setting himself up as a writer/consultant in a potentially lucurative vertical market.
  • Jesus compiled my kernel!
  • Perhaps they can use Jesux.
  • Poke the Penguin.
  • Wow Abiezer_Coppe not only is he a mechanic but a software engineer too... is there anything he can't do?
  • Hey! Just thought I would drop by and answer your questions. "Not quite sure what the point of the 2.0 PDF is, since it seems to be available only for purchase." All you have to do is ask. 1.0 was a decent first effort. It got the word out. But it was not complete, or necessarily completely accurate. 2.0 gave me the chance to revise some of what I had written. I also expanded the book - from 55 to 240 pages. 1.0 laments the lack of software that Christians can run on GNU/Linux. 2.0 points out what programs exist for GNU, Mac & Windows, plus directs readers to a whole network of websites run by Christians who use FOSS. Instead of explaining my motive, I'll question yours, and suggest you check out the CS-FSLUG archives, as well as The Freely Project forums. Fair enough? "the "most important book in the xtian community today"" Looks like you misquoted me. I say it's *one* of... There is no other book that explores the intersection of GNU philosophy and Christian theology. That discussion in 2.0 raises questions for the church about how we view technology - specifically, how we license it. How does it impact our society as a whole? "The PDF is very pro-Linux. Not sure what this paragraph means or what difference it could possibly make whether or not Stallman is an atheist. This basically looks like a tech guy setting himself up as a writer/consultant in a potentially lucurative vertical market." My reference to RMS' atheism may well be out of place. I guess I'm trying to point out that we Christians can learn a few tricks from non-Christians. Instead of assuming what I'm up to, just ask me. I'll answer. In the meantime, I hope I've cleared up most of your questions. :) The peace of Christ be with you, dcparris
  • hey! the peace of christ is with us! cool! paging *our* jesus to this thread... where's he been lately, anyway? i haven't noticed his comments recently.
  • Yet I am am here always, just cut off all thinking and I arise.