🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <SJA.89Oct16125938@sirius.hut.fi> sja@sirius.hut.fi (Sakari Jalovaara) writes:
   A member of FSF comments in the newsgroup gnu.gcc:
      It is my firm intention to make [us(ing) fsf stuff without
      having to deal with fsf politics] as difficult as possible.  The
      GNU project's purpose is politics.

   Note especially the purpose of the GNU project.  What will he do to
   "FSF stuff" to force its users to deal with his politics?

Probably copyright it, just like has already been done.

   Most software is not "fun hacks" like compilers and re-writes of
   "awk," but rather programs like accounting systems, factory stock
   accounting systems and control programs for VCRs.

Without a development environment, authors of toaster oven microcode
would be forced to resort to toggling front panel switches.  Someone
must provide that development environment.  To them, a compiler isn't
a "fun hack", but the purposed result of their labors.  To others, a
compiler is just another tool, like the plumbing or the public roads,
that enables them to get their job done.  Any sort of programming can
be considered serious business, and fun can be derived from any sort
as well.

   Are YOU going to write these programs if you don't get paid for
   them?

I do lots of work that I don't get (monetarily) paid for, just because
I believe deeply in the cause I'm working for.  And surprisingly
enough, some of it even involves computing, and some of it isn't even
work on development environments.

   Just *what* are they going to do to my work to make it difficult
   for some people to use it?

If you don't assign copyright, nobody but you can do anything to your
work.

   I often heard people refer to "public domain GNU software" - even
   some that are actually contributing software to FSF.  This makes me
   feel quite sad - FSF is getting support from people who don't know
   what they are really supporting.

Yes, people should be more careful about what they say and do, to
ensure that they're really doing and saying exactly what they mean.  I
have occasionally found myself inadvertently working at cross purposes
to my intended goals, and have quickly moved to remedy that situation.

People shouldn't buy, use, do, or support anything until they've read
all the fine print.  I'm glad you've read it closely enough to make
your own decision.  Lots of folks don't.