🚀 go-pugleaf

jbotz@mtholyoke.edu (Jurgen Botz) writes:
> Why are you trying to vilify the FSF when at _worst_ they are
> not doing anything more than commercial outfits?  If you're
> saying that all software should be PD, then you're being even
> more dogmatic than the FSF... if not, then what's wrong with
> their license vs. Generic Machine Corporation's, or Macrosoft's?

With Microsoft and other commercial licenses, I can use the sample source
code provided in any way I like, and I can do whatever I want with programs
which I have written and linked using their libraries.

With GNU licenses, I can't use the source code provided in any way I like,
and I can't do whatever I want with programs which I have written and linked
using their libraries.

The FSF tries to get me to overlook these restrictions by bribing me with
the source code for the whole package, and by telling me I can give away copies
of the whole package.

Whether you think this is a good deal depends upon how much you value being
allowed to fiddle with other people's source code and copy other people's
software, measured against how much you value being allowed to do what you
want with software you have written (even if you've included bits from
other people's code).

Obviously those who contribute nothing of worth are going to like the GNU
license, because it means they get to copy all kinds of neat stuff without
having to pay for it in any way.

Also obviously, those who enjoy fiddling with poorly-documented source code
in an attempt to fix bugs are going to like the GNU license, because it
means you get to fix bugs yourself or pay other people to do it, rather
than having bugs fixed by people who already know and understand how the
program works.

And of course, those who enjoy giving software to friends at no personal cost
are going to like the GNU license.

> I really don't understand the people who keep jumping on the
> FSF... it totally puzzles me.  What is their motivation?

I'd much rather that the effort being spent on developing FSF software got
spent on developing software that's truly free, so everyone can benefit.


mathew

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