What is a computer
How do we define a computer for the purpose of discussing free software. Are desktops and servers the only two platforms that matter. I would argue that anything that functions as a software platform should qualify as a computer with respect to issues of free vs proprietary software. Robots are an increasingly common type of computer platform. Game machines like the Play Station and the X-Box are computer platforms. Cable Boxes and Home media centers are moving quickly towards being software platforms. Advanced home automation systems are a software platform (and yes, there is open source home automation control software).
How do Stallman's ideas on the 4 freedoms apply to these platforms.
The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1).
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).
I would be interested in what other members of the community think
I would say that anything that serves as a platform for software, indeed anything that can be programmed and reprogrammed could be defined as a computer. However there is an issue of in regards to redistribution in certain device segments in which it is not typical for software to be loaded or the device reconfigured. Cell phones for example and other embedded systems usually rely on an Operating System that is closely tied to the hardware platform. At some point you end up creating niches for software on "computers" where there is no net gain in making the source code available because either there is no method, or the method is particularly complex, for changing the install system and software. Certainly companies could, in theory benefit from peer review if the code was available but many companies wouldn't regard the value of that review to be substantial enough.
Of course in a culture where all software is Free there would be no reason to every conceal anything, but until we get to that point, pragmatism is going to come in to play.
You look like a justifiably proud and happy father!! Cute kid!
the issue of embedded systems is a potential minefield. What about DVD players that won't let you skip commerical on specially coded DVD's. What about efforts by Christian groups to edit offensive lanquage and graphic scenes from DVD's. (this wasn't a software issue but it speaks to the legitimate reasons people have to alter content as they see fit)
We can expect to see Hollywood and its allies try and move DRM restrictions into embedded systems on the hardware of media devices. They know that attempts to restict users on general purpose computers is not going to work. it is too easy to reprogram around any restrictions that Hollywood can devise. Moving restrictions into embedded devices is a way to restrict how users access and use media.
The issue of DRM really is a beast unto itself though because governments have still not done a good job it determining how much DRM enforcement is acceptable before squashing fair use and legitimate personal rights to content that has been purchased. The issue of copyprotection/prevention is something that needs to be sorted out legally. But the issue is still present that say a cell phone that has an embedded OS that is not easily upgradable is in a niche where having the source code available to the end user is not really helpful because redistribution is silly because the OS is targeted at a specific model of phone so there is not market advantage to have the code available except in a world where all software is Free.
Personally I don't want to software that is on my cell phone cause as long as it works I could care less and if it doesn't work the manufacturer will be the one I expect to fix it, no my friendly neighborhood hacker who happens to have the code.
I remember an example Lawrence Lessig used in a lecture I attended; it was a children's story, it might be Alice in Wonderland or something; a company had bought the digital rights to it, and it was being distributed as an e-book. On the You are not allowed to... list it was written You are not allowed to distribute the text by reading it out loud - or something to that effect. That sort of defies the purpose.
A friend of mine has a DreamBox, which is basically a Linux-driven TV-recorder with a harddrive. Now, being Linux-based and built so one can exchange the components fairly easily (swapping a 60 GB with a 200GB drive would be the obvious example), a box like that actually has a very long life expectancy - especially if you can update the system code. And that might not be too popular with the great electronics companies.
I really... no, I REALLY love the Freevo project. When I retire my desktop PC, it is going to be my Freevo Box. A DVD-burner, a smaller CPU and a low-/no-noise cooler... it is going to be really sweet. Going to need another cabinet, though. Not sure I can explain the wife why we need a PC tower beside the TV.
I define "computer" as anything that is Turing complete
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_complete