Slashdot Mirror


GPL 3 Launch Date Announced

Joe Blakesley writes "Today, the Free Software Foundation announced that version 3 of the GNU General Public License will be released on Friday, June 29 at noon (EDT). Live video footage of the GPL's unveiling by Richard M. Stallman will be available as a stream on the FSF's website."

37 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting date to choose... by onemorehour · · Score: 4, Funny

    GPL v3 + iPhone in one day = collective nerdgasm?

    1. Re:Interesting date to choose... by Alphager · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The FSF is not about pleasing everyone. It is about solely furthering the goals of Free Software (not Open Source, not Linux). They will succeed in that.

    2. Re:Interesting date to choose... by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 4, Insightful
      When GPL2 was written, people got music from phonograph records and a touch-tone phone was the most sophisticated input device available in most people's homes. The world changed a whole lot since then. One of the things that changed is that manufacturers gained the capability to lock down software in a way that they could change, but nobody else could. It's fine for them to have that ability, but I am not going to choose to let them do that to software that I write and they do not pay for. I don't see why anyone else would want to either. If they want to lock the code down, maybe it would be a good idea for them to find its authors and buy a commercial license.

      Bruce

    3. Re:Interesting date to choose... by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 5, Informative
      Well this certainly is out of the question for the Linux kernel

      There is BSD for that.

      One has to wonder however how much cash a commercial license for some projects would bring in allowing for the funding and development for the free/open version.

      Dual-licensing brings MySQL 50 Million Dollars Per Year. Which means that the GPL is a really effective capitalist tool. Folks who oppose it are often looking for a gift, rather than sharing. It seems to me that they should be willing to pay. That would be more fair.

      Bruce

    4. Re:Interesting date to choose... by FudRucker · · Score: 2, Insightful

      i believe RMS's intent is to disable corporate interests such as the Microsoft/Novell deal & other similar deals from exploiting GPLed software, it basically closes a loophole, RMS is free to license his code however he sees fit...

      --
      Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
    5. Re:Interesting date to choose... by Mattintosh · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It would work fine. Let's just use iD as a stand-in example for any developer, and we'll use their IT5 engine as a stand-in example for any game engine. We'll also use GPL as a substitute for a suitable game-engine-tailored license with a similar spirit.

      1) iD makes IT5.
      2) iD releases IT5 under dual-licensing. With the GPL version, the engine, any additions to the engine, and any game assets must be under the GPL. Any mods made for your game must be under the GPL, even if you didn't make them (your fanbase did). With the commercial license, the engine is still iD's engine, but modifications and game assets are yours and do not have to be released as source, and fan-made mods belong to the fans that made them and do not have to be released as source.
      3) ???
      4) Profit!

      The ??? in 3 is this: game companies afraid of changing the way they do business will license the engine from iD the way they do already. Nothing will change there. But indie developers will get the GPL version for their first few games, make a little money (there's always a few who appreciate your work enough to pay), and grow into a larger developer (that can afford to pay iD for the commercially licensed engine and all the perks that come with it, such as not having to give away your livelihood). It's the best of both worlds. iD makes enough money to roll around in all day, and the indie guys get an equal shot at the "big-time" with the already-established commercial developers.

      I'd love to see this. It would drastically lower the cost-of-entry barrier for game development.

    6. Re:Interesting date to choose... by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Most of the software would surely exist without the FSF, just under a different license.

      Gentle reminder. Linux & most other free software couldn't exist if RMS hadn't written GCC. Do you have any idea how much toolchains cost prior to GCC?

      Not something your average hobbiest could afford.

      --
      There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
  2. Re:Timing by badboy_tw2002 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Right, because otherwise the servers would be flooded by people clamouring to see the latest GPL! But stick with the Apple story, it will make people feel better :) (Its not our fault, people just like dumb ol' apple, that's all!)

  3. Re:Video streaming? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are there any video streaming methods/codecs/packages that are are sufficiently `free' for the FSF's tastes
    It's going to be a Windows Media file...
  4. How are they going to unveil it? by ChrisMounce · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean, it isn't a physical object. Print it out and frame it? Throw copies into the crowd? A reading by Stallman himself (followed by a license signing)?

    1. Re:How are they going to unveil it? by heinousjay · · Score: 5, Funny

      A reading by Stallman himself (followed by a license signing)?

      If you could somehow bottle that concept you would cure insomnia the world over.

      --
      Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
    2. Re:How are they going to unveil it? by Fozzyuw · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...then lift the veil, and there it is!

      At which time a large audible *gasp* from the crowd, and sweeping pan of the aforementioned veiled area shows that, in-fact, the GPL has been STOLEN! An audible laughter is heard over the loud speakers...

      In A.D. 2007, GPL3 was beginning.

      Stallman: What happen ?
      Mechanic: Somebody set up us the iPhone.
      Operator: We get signal.
      Stallman: What !
      Operator: Main screen turn on.
      Stallman: It's you !!
      JOBS: How are you gentlemen !!
      JOBS: All your publicity are belong to us.
      JOBS: You are on the way to destruction.
      Stallman: What you say !!
      JOBS: You have no chance to survive make your time.
      JOBS: Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
      Operator: Stallman !! *
      Stallman: Take off every 'Zig' !!
      Stallman: You know what you doing.
      Stallman: Move 'Zig'.
      Stallman: For great justice.

      --
      "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth." ~1984 George Orwell
  5. Re:Video streaming? by fsmunoz · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, they use video streaming sometimes. "Often" is to strong a word, but they have been doing it more as of late due to the GPLv3 process. To sum it up, it's Vorbis and Theora.

  6. Re:Timing by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't know about anyone else, but I plan to camp out all night in front of the FSF so I can be the first to get a copy of the final version of the GPLv3. Then I'm going to sell it on eBay.

  7. Re:Why date linked? by Hatta · · Score: 2, Informative

    The W3 does not recommend hyperlinks on verb phrases.

    --
    Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  8. Re:Timing by fsmunoz · · Score: 2, Funny

    "No retroactive effects on the MS deal. More lines than GPLv2. Lame."

  9. Java and OpenSolaris Going GPL 3? by javacowboy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Excellent news!

    I'm curious about when Sun plans to GPL 3 Java, OpenSolaris, along with ZFS, DTrace, and hopefully NetBeans.

    --
    This space left intentionally blank.
  10. SP1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm going to wait for SP1 before I upgrade.

  11. Re:Timing by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 4, Informative
    ) "No retroactive effects on the MS deal.

    Actually, there are. Novell got let off easy in a way because FSF feels it's more important to use the Microsoft "coupons" to go after Microsoft's remaining patent rights with GPL3 (after doctrine of Laches, etc. has already cost MS most of those rights). But I don't think Microsoft would be very happy about Novell using GPL3 software because of that. How this plays out will be interesting.

    Bruce

  12. Tattoo by athloi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Gotta update my tattoo, Which was the GPL-2, But from the looks of v3, Should be hours of agony!

    1. Re:Tattoo by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hah! See what you get for not including that "And any later version" language.

  13. Re:Furthering the goals of Free Sofftware by smclean · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Well, how does it hurt it? I mean, its the release of a new software license.. it's unusual that there are any festivities at all. Do you really think they have much hopes for major press coverage?

    I'm glad that some people didn't feel the need to clear their schedule because a new phone is being released. I'm glad I don't spend much time surfing the internet on the weekends; I'll remain unexposed to the epicenter of the hype.

    --

    "'Yrch!' said Legolas, falling into his own tongue."

  14. Re:Does it still have that web distribution clause by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 3, Informative

    That is the Affero GPL, a separate license.

  15. It's not to hide the rollout by Infonaut · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There are some things in the GPLv3 that will eventually blow up on them, doing this to hide the publicity amongst the Apple fanfare is just par for the course.

    You seem to be implying that Stallman is announcing this on June 29th so he can hide behind the big iPhone rollout. I haven't met Stallman in person, but nothing I've heard indicates that he would ever try to hide one of his announcements. He has a lot of ego invested in the GPL. My guess is he's deliberately announcing it on June 29th because he'll be able to leverage the iPhone launch. I could see him calling attention to the iPhone and the perils of hardware companies and content providers limiting our options.

    He's going to try and pull a judo move on the 29th.

    --
    Read the EFF's Fair Use FAQ
  16. Re:Timing by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 4, Informative
    And you should not be bothered by the more lines, either. Compare them to the more lines of "intellectual property" legislation like DMCA and the more lines of case law. GPL has to deal with all of that or it will progressively weaken. So what you are really seeing is FSF running as fast as it can to stay still in the context of new law.

    Bruce

  17. Re:Timing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ha, fuck you! I'm going to give it away for nothing.

  18. Re:Does it still have that web distribution clause by david_thornley · · Score: 2, Informative

    No, they dropped that from the later drafts of GPLv3. The FSF recently released a draft of the Affero GPL, which at first glance is pretty much the same as GPLv3, except that it does have the web distribution clause. From the FSF rationale documents, it sounds like they thought it tricky to get right, and probably thought they'd rather get GPLv3 out first and worry about the Affero part later.

    --
    "When you have eliminated the unacceptable, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truthiness" - Holmes
  19. Re:Is it just me??? by fsmunoz · · Score: 4, Informative

    You don't need to agree with the GPL to use the software. For an end-user that just uses the software the GPLv3 doesn't change anything, and most of it doesn't apply anyway, since its focus is on redistribution, code availability and code change. The GPL is however important for people that develop the software and that is why the GPLv3 is important.

  20. Re:Why date linked? by WilliamSChips · · Score: 2, Funny

    They probably meddle and make random changes because of the whiners.

    --
    Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
  21. Re:Video streaming? by jZnat · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They could just use Icecast from Xiph (the same people who develop the standards for Ogg, Vorbis, Theora, FLAC, XSPF, etc.) I believe.

    --
    'Yes, firefox is indeed greater than women. Can women block pops up for you? No. Can Firefox show you naked women? Yes.'
  22. Re:Timing by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 2

    Trust me to miss any reference to pop culture. Not enough time in my life. Not even enough sleep, this time.

  23. Giving people their due is hard for some. by jbn-o · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Yes, I realize that RMS differs on the topic, but really we're all about doing the same thing: making great software available for everyone to share, copy and modify to their heart's content. Can't we all just get along?

    But you don't seem to realize why RMS differs. So do compare that ESR essay to "Why "Open Source" misses the point of Free Software" which, among other things, asks you to consider what is being proposed by the two movements and to give each movement their due. The free software movement isn't just about making software (in fact a lot of people in the free software community aren't programmers at all). The way you frame the issue, it seems that everyone getting along is fine so long as we all choose to call everything "open source" and toss aside the pursuit of freedom and social solidarity that are at the heart of the free software movement (and which the open source movement was built not to talk about).

  24. What are the odds by h2g2bob · · Score: 2, Funny

    Two people with birthdays on June 29 - thus proving Slashdot has 730 (and a half) users.

    1. Re:What are the odds by mattpalmer1086 · · Score: 2, Informative

      No - birthday paradox refers to the chance of any two people sharing *a* birthday. Not the chance of two people sharing a specific birthday.

  25. Re:Timing by fsmunoz · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hey, do I actually have to care about the FSF to get one of those c00l fsf.org email addresses?

    No, not at all. Just to pay them monthly, you can otherwise loathe them.

    I need a new permanent email provider

    Well, they are just redirects, 5 in total IIRC.

    and fsf.org would be teh shizznikegnite. Think of all the geek cred.

    I don't need to think, I expererience it everyday. I just flash it and the kids just go, like, awesome ma nizzle. Fo' shizzle. (more seriously though, see https://www.fsf.org/associate/support_freedom/join _fsf? or https://www.fsfe.org/en/fsfeuser/register/(set)/1 if you're at all interested).

  26. Le Denounement by matt+me · · Score: 2, Interesting

    How can you unveil something that's been through a year of public drafting?

  27. It means a lot to users; someone must make sw! by dwheeler · · Score: 2, Interesting
    The GPL doesn't limit USE of the software, so in that very narrow sense it doesn't matter to users. But that's such a narrow sense as to be meaningless.

    If you want to use software, you must have software to use. If you want to have software to use, there must be a way to develop it. The GPL has been the "Constitution" enabling the development of a vast amount of really useful software; indeed, the majority of Free-libre / open source software (FLOSS) uses the GPL. And people are finally realizing that most FLOSS is commercial software; it's no longer exclusively "just a hobby". Before the GPL, the only ways of creating software were complete proprietary control (often by a company intent on preventing you from switching) or public domain/BSDish licenses (which sometimes works very well, but sometimes get sucked into proprietary projects often enough to die or live only on life support). So yes, if you wish to be able to use software in the future, the GPL is important; it establishes a viable method of making the software that people would like to use. In fact, it's been extraordinarily effective at doing so.

    Even you don't write code yourself, you can still hire someone to write or change code. So the GPL provides additional capabilities to users, even if the user can't write code him/herself. And even if you use proprietary software, GPL'ed software has had a profound impact on limiting the costs of much of that software, which is also great for end-users (and again matters to them).

    Here's an analogy - that statement is like saying that agriculture doesn't matter because many people aren't farmers. But non-farmers must eat too! Having viable methods to grow food - and a competitive system to lower costs and raise quality - are still of vital interest to the users of products from farmers. Unless you want to stop eating.

    --
    - David A. Wheeler (see my Secure Programming HOWTO)