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Sun's COO Distorts Free In Free Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the he-got-free-as-in-beer-mixed-up-with-free-as-in-freedom dept.

sebFlyte writes "Jonathan Schwartz, Sun's COO and president, said at JavaOne that 'the most important initial in free and open source software, to me, if you want to reach the broadest marketplace in the world there's one price that works for everyone, and that's free". As you can imagine, this interpretation of 'free' in terms of software has angered a few people somewhat, including Richard Stallman..." From the article: "The free software movement stands for 'free' as in freedom. The open source campaign doesn't present freedom as an ethical issue, but it still formulates its criteria in terms of what users are permitted to do,"

13 of 346 comments (clear)

  1. The one thing that matters by Torgo's+Pizza · · Score: 2, Funny

    I thought the most important definition of free was free as in beer.

  2. I get it. by krell · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now it's 'free as in free iPod' or 'free as in Buy Four Get One Free'.

    --
    Where were you when the voynix came?
  3. Richard Stallman angry? by Exitar · · Score: 5, Funny

    It cannot be!

    1. Re:Richard Stallman angry? by eclectro · · Score: 4, Funny

      It cannot be!

      Maybe someone needs to give him a free beer?

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
  4. Free is good. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I think I speak for everyone when I say, "Free is good."

    Popular free software programs include AOL Instant Messenger, Opera, and Microsoft Office*.

    * Dude, I'll totally hook you up with a copy.

  5. Re:New name for free as in freedom or free as in b by ciroknight · · Score: 3, Funny

    Richard Stallman nominates GNU/Free.

    --
    "Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." G.W.Bush
  6. Re:New name for free as in freedom or free as in b by CDarklock · · Score: 4, Funny

    I suggest we use "gay". Here's a good slogan:

    "SOFTWARE FREEDOM IS GAY!"

    That way, the gay software movement can encourage people to make their software gay, too. When people ask you what you do, you can say "I'm a gay software developer".

    Come on, it would be funny. Let's start a petition.

    --
    Microsoft cheerleader, blue flag waving, you got a problem with that?
  7. He's NEVER just angry! by PaxTech · · Score: 4, Funny

    He's GNU/Angry!

    --
    All movements for social change begin as missions, evolve into businesses, and end up as rackets.
  8. How about... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Frenchware?

  9. Re:New name for free as in freedom or free as in b by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    a definition of "free" has ben forked... good.
    this is a small step for man and a huge step for OSS

  10. Re:New name for free as in freedom or free as in b by zerocool^ · · Score: 4, Funny


    Not that there's anything wrong with that.

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    sig?
  11. Re:Sun Bashing by jwsd · · Score: 2, Funny

    You are asking religious people to stop praying everyday.

  12. New name for free as in freedom GAY? by runlvl0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    You mean, as in GAY Ain't Younix (or GAY Ain't Yours)? It's a little "redneck" for me, but otherwise okay.

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    Carthago delenda est!