One thing I've never understood about Linus: If he doesn't like the GPL then why does he use it? I mean, does he just it just to give himself something to complain about? Seriously, can someone explain this to me?
The point Linus is making here is that the GPLv3 is used as a vehicle to impose upon others the ideas of a few and regulate what Linus thinks should be a matter of choice.
Systems of laws *do* impose ideas of morality because they are not optional to those under their rule. The GPL on the other hand is optional and you do not have to use it or GPL covered software. So to claim that the GPL "is used as a vehicle to impose upon others the ideas of a few" is simply not true.
He's a brilliant engineer, a witty person, but he's an idiot when it comes to freedom related issues and he displays what basically amounts to ignorance about the subject.
He's not an idiot, he's just amoral. Brilliant, witty, and amoral.
"Zealot - A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause."
I think the "zealot" characterization is infounded. RMS has never struck me as being unreasoning.
GPL software "infects" hardware it is distributed with? I bought a Linksys router with GPL software on it. So, can I demand that Linksys provide me with the source files used to manufacture that hardware so that I can make copies of it?
Slashdot Mirror
One thing I've never understood about Linus: If he doesn't like the GPL then why does he use it? I mean, does he just it just to give himself something to complain about? Seriously, can someone explain this to me?
GPL software "infects" hardware it is distributed with? I bought a Linksys router with GPL software on it. So, can I demand that Linksys provide me with the source files used to manufacture that hardware so that I can make copies of it?