Slashdot Mirror
A New Model for Software Innovation
An anonymous reader writes "In this whitepaper published at LinuxDevices.com, Matt Asay (former Linux naysayer-turned-disciple) analyzes the GPL, picking apart what it means (and does not mean) for users, and whether it is enforceable. Assay also details how its terms inhibit and foster innovation, and why we should care. In this next generation of software, those who understand 'copyleft' licenses like the GPL will have the upper-hand, and will be best positioned to take on closed-source shops like Microsoft. Assay wrote this paper while attending Stanford Law School, where he studied the the GNU General Public License under Professor Larry Lessig." A thoughtful piece that answers - as well as they can be answered - a lot of the questions about the GPL that we get for Ask Slashdot, as well as examining the economics of it. Good reading for anyone developing or selling software.
because they're too busy playing Sims and Warcraft III, right CmdrTaco?
Grade "A" operating systems can cost $100-1000M to develop. The majority of that figure is salaries for the people involved: Averages might be 10-1000 programmers, 10-100 artists and 30-100 support people, all over 18-48 months, plus overhead.
[...]
Oh wait, there's Linux, FreeBSD, etc, etc...
I've got no idea why there are no Great Open Source Games With Spark, but I bet money's got nothing to do with it.
<RMS MODE ON>
Any part of Mr. Asay's article where he implies the GPL is bad or could use some work is merely due to his failing to comprehend or understand the meaning and scope of what the GPL in its entirety.
<RMS MODE OFF>
Isn't that pretty much what we're going to hear in a few days? I'll thank the moderators for at least attempting to have something resembling a sense of humor.
P.S. No offense meant to RMS or his devout apostles.