Free Software Needs Free Tools: An Ethical Dilemma in Open Source Development

This article explores the ethical dilemma faced by free software developers who use non-free development tools. The author argues that, for efficiency's sake, many developers have opted for proprietary tools or network services like BitKeeper, SourceForge, and GitHub, sacrificing the freedom of both developers and users. The author uses the example of the Linux kernel's move to BitKeeper and the subsequent forced development of Git to illustrate the risks of relying on proprietary tools. Using non-free tools, the author emphasizes, not only harms the credibility of the open-source movement but also restricts software freedom, ultimately resulting in software that isn't truly free. The author calls on developers to prioritize free and open-source development tools, upholding the values of open-source software and avoiding the sacrifice of freedom for efficiency.