“Inspired by the Free Software Foundation’s “Why is free
software important to you?” video contest, Byfield noted that “it’s
a timely topic, with Windows 7 just out and with the free software
community’s bickering so bitter as of late that common goals
sometimes seem in danger of being forgotten.”“Nevertheless, free software is succeeding, Byfield
concluded.“”Looking back over my decade of involvement, I am often amazed
by the progress I have seen, both in the software itself and in its
acceptance outside the community,” he wrote. “All the same, free
software might succeed more quickly if those involved in it
reminded themselves of its importance more often, and realized how
puzzling it can be to newcomers.”