Open Source vs Proprietary software in Linux

I read lots of stories on why proprietary software is bad, why binary blobs have the potential to make a Linux system unstable and I read horror stories about potential unsupported hardware if open source drivers are not released. Well I ask you, what is more important, your crusade against closed source software or choice, freedom and any support at all? Well what would I rather, a binary blob driver for my nVidia card or a reverse engineered non 3D accelerated driver? Sure nVidia could release an open source driver (assuming the haven't cross licensed some proprietary code in the driver somewhere), but they haven't. Petition them for sure, get the ball rolling in nagging them for an open source driver, but in the meantime am I going to use Vesa?

Open source is a nice philosophy, and I do agree with it. However I am a pragmatist. I bought Nero Linux and I don't feel like a 'traitor to the cause', in fact, I feel I am furthering it. I have shown Ahead that there is a demand for Linux software. There CD/DVD burning suite is good, so why can't I buy it if I want to? Skype, I have it (I hardly use it), but it's on my PC. Google Earth is there too, again, hardly used, but it's there. I play games, I play World of Warcraft, it's there, and I use it.

Now, the question is, would I use an Open Source version which is poorer (in my opinion) to further the philosophical goals of Linux? The answer is no, I would not. If a new MMORPG came along and was open source and better, I would dump WoW. I would also pay for it, like I do now with WoW. I choose software on what I prefer to use, not what others think I should use.

I want open source software to get bigger, better and be real competition for the closed source software out there, they can charge, and if I like it, I will buy it or it can be free as in beer, I don't care.

Let the zealots go mad!