🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan3.171845.18963@husc3.harvard.edu> zeleny@husc10.harvard.edu (Michael Zeleny) writes:
>
>The use of GNU places me under a reciprocal obligation which limits
>its usufruit, regardless of whether or not I ever exercise my physical
>ability to do so.  I know that it may be hard to figure out, but feel
>free to ask somebody in your philosophy department about the meaning
>of obligation.

Ah ha! Now I understand, I think.  We are talking about philosophic obligation,
rather than legal obligation.  You legally owe the FSF or RMS nothing by the
use of their software, but you feel that the terms that they give it to you
on creates a moral, or ethical obligation.

Now, although I do not pretend to be either a professional lawyer, nor a
fully licensed philosopher, I suspect that your resentment of this deal is
because of this moral obligation.  You have part of the answer correct: 
there is a cost to using "free" software. There is no such thing as a free 
lunch. The price you pay for using GNU software is that you have become 
"infected" by the GNU manifesto; you have given up part of your independence
for using their software.  But you should have suspected that this is true. 

What you are really complaining is that RMS is not interested in handing
people a free lunch.  His "gifts" have ideological strings on them.  Not
surprising, as the strings are consistant with his intentions of reshaping
the software industry, even if they do not service your desire for 
software that is free of both cost and strings.

You can joing Mathew's "truly free" software foundation.  I'll be waiting
in line for my gift.  Bring Mother Theresa.

>May I suggest the alternative possibility, that you are
>constitutionally incapable of understanding an English sentence
>possessed of a subordinate clause?

Ahh. good stuff.  very effective argument. That will put the plebes in their
rightful places, eh?

jem.

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