@matthew >Yet, the existence of a free alternative
The whole idea is that the free software is a free replacement to all proprietary software, not a mere alternative to it.

>If you were to switch a non-technical user’s web browser for Firefox
Unfortunately, firefox isn't exactly free software, although there are free forks like Abrowser and GNU icecat.


I don't really get the concept of an "open protocol" - I personally would frame it as free protocols, that are documented and which can simply be implemented vs undocumented malicious proprietary ones, that can be implemented, but such is an act of difficult reverse engineering, with all work turning to dust if the protocol is changed.