Re: Sacrifices made for Free Software

[Roberto Beltran]

> I studied for 2 years at SIUe before dropping out
> because it became impossible for me to continue and keep my freedom.
>

I don't want to make any assumptions about your financial situation or past 
education experience or why you were studying, but for others that might be in 
a similar position, I'm not sure this is a good move.

I graduated in 2018 and I've definitely done my share of negotiating with 
professors and taking small hits to my grade to avoid proprietary software. 
When it came down to it though, if it was between graduating and freedom, I 
picked graduating.

As a (perhaps broke or indebted) student you have little power. You've tried 
your best move: organizing your peers, but it seems this was ineffective. I 
think the next best move is to suck it up for two measly years so you'll be in 
a position where as a professional:

1) People will generally take you more seriously
2) You'll be in a better negotiating position to get work that that requires 
less proprietary software and makes more money
3) You'll be in a better position to get work at all, considering how the 
economy is moving

and further if you stay in and can carve out even 2 hours or so a week you can 
try starting a libre student group. It can be unofficial to start, don't let 
the bureaucracy spin your wheels (this is where I messed up). You probably 
won't see the fruit from that tree, but future students might.

On the other hand, by dropping out, sure you stop being a victim in the context 
of your school that I've never heard of, but you're setting yourself up to be 
more of a victim in society at large where you're spending the rest of your 
life.

Of course people might argue the merits of college education to start with, but 
I'm operating under the assumption that you've weighed your options and decided 
college was a good move for you.

Best regards,
Roberto Beltran