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South African Minister Locks Horns With Microsoft

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the speaking-truth-to-monoploy dept.

naheiw writes "The South African minister of public service and administration on Monday addressed the opening of the Idlelo 3 free software conference in Dakar, Senegal, saying that software patents posed a considerable threat to the growth of the African software sector (video). Microsoft responded aggressively, saying that 'there is no such thing as free software. Nobody develops software for charity.'"

4 of 325 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft Open License Charity program by jbeaupre · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/open/opencharity.mspx

    Oh, the irony! Or is it hypocrisy?

    --
    The world is made by those who show up for the job.
  2. Developing for charity by aneviltrend · · Score: 4, Informative

    Nobody develops software for charity.

    Especially not Bram Moolenaar.

  3. My, how times haven't changed. by jimicus · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Nobody develops software for charity.'"

    I hear echoes of a letter written by a certain William Gates over 30 years ago:

        http://www.blinkenlights.com/classiccmp/gateswhine.html

    "What hobbyist can put 3-man years into programming, finding all bugs, documenting his product and distribute for free? "

  4. Re:Technically true though by hardburn · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, there are many developers who write code for no money, but at the same time, I don't know anyone who does it entirely for selfless, charitable reasons.

    Vim is explicitly produced as a way to promote a charity for Uganda.

    --
    Not a typewriter