I think you're weighing my argument too heavily. I wanted to make the argument that from the point of view of a GPL developer, relicensing BSD code should be noted as a bit of a slight. It's not the most compelling moral issue, but I do think it deserves be recognized.
I'll probably put it on my main desktop in a few weeks. Granted, it won't be doing anything right away, I'll just try it out and see how it works. If it works well, I'll try using it for my portage tree (Gentoo). Depending on how much I like it, I might try it using it in other places.
BTW, what is the deal with ReiserFS being dog-slow for copying large files ? It's also dog-slow mounting larger partitions (ie: 80gb). I've tried tweaking everything to no avail. Now I just use Ext3.
I think I'll elaborate on this a bit more. No computer newbie these days should be using an install cd and rolling the dice. With Knoppix you can see approximately how well everything will work beforehand. This is the be-all end-all of software installation!
I haven't tried Knoppix recently, so I don't know what has been done, but this is the ideal. We want a polished install program, which can handle partitioning with an icon on the desktop "Install to Hard Drive". Debian repositories should be automatically queried, and security updates downloaded automatically. It needs an "update software" program which shows a list of programs (not libraries), and installs necessary updates. Then it needs a "new software browser" which can browse and search the library of available programs (not libraries) and can install them. This would be it.
I consider re-releasing BSD code under the GPL to be unethical, especially when the intent is to build on the existing code, rather than to rewrite it. It is analogous (but not equivalent) to the case where a proprietary software vendor modifies code and does not contribute it back. The net result is that modifications are not available to the BSD community.
Well prior to the whole Napster thing I was buying 10-15 cds a year. Since then, I've bought or been given 5 cds. I'll admit that my interest in the RIAA's music has waned somewhat, but the drop is basically out of spite. I own four DVD movies. Two were gifts, one I requested as a gift, and one is independent (plug) so it doesn't count. Also spite.
I think that re-releasing code under a more restrictive licence is unethical, period. And I think the real difference between the GPL and BSD development model is one of effort. The people who keep FreeBSD open and competitive have expend a lot of effort to do it. Often, (as you note), various improvements are contributed back, but the developers can't rely on that like the GPL developers can.
Each licence has its own strengths. I think the GPL is a better licence to have in a competitive marketplace, because it can better defend against companies with unethical tactics. The BSD style licences are better suited to well-developed technology, where technical excellence is the main consideration, and competitive posturing is minimized.
Personally I think Microsoft is shooting themselves in the foot with this. I don't know what it's like in a big corporation, but in small businesses Office is king. The reason is simple: it has every feature anyone could reasonably expect. You can buy it, install it, and it does whatever you need. When you set aside money for new hardware, you can upgrade the software too.
Small businesses do not want to deal with some recurring cost subscription scheme. It reduces the flexibility of your cash flow and it's annoying. Small businesses (and home users) want a widget, and if Microsoft won't provide one, or won't provide one at reasonable cost, their business will dry up as people look elsewhere.
According to the article, at the time it was deemed too risky to clean up. One has to wonder what sort of logic goes into that decision. What were they thinking ???
"Maybe it will blow up on its own and no one will blame us."
Re:Some of the changes (possible spoilers)
on
Star Wars on DVD
·
· Score: 4, Funny
I can only pray that the real George Lucas is dead and has been spinning in his grave for a decade now.
I thought Blinx was a pretty good game overall. There was lots of interesting stuff to do, some areas were fast and frantic, and it was very polished. I prefer the "open world" style platformer to timed levels, but Blinx was still a fun game.
Funny, I don't get any viagra spam these days : Vagira, v.i.a.gra, vl4gr4 (whatever the hell that is), but the good people at Pfzier have been leaving me alone.
Or they will simply crush open source with patent lawyers. Let's see, $400 an hour and your average lawyer might weigh, oh, about 200 lbs. Microsoft has 60 billion dollars. That's a lot of crushing.
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I think you're weighing my argument too heavily. I wanted to make the argument that from the point of view of a GPL developer, relicensing BSD code should be noted as a bit of a slight. It's not the most compelling moral issue, but I do think it deserves be recognized.
I think I saw you at the subway once...
You shouldn't be exposing port 6000 anyway.
What's this "SCO" key ? I pressed it, and everyone I know got slapped with a frivolous lawsuit.
From personal experience, Reiserfs is slow to mount large partitions, and slow to copy large files. Ext3 is much better in that regard.
I'll probably put it on my main desktop in a few weeks. Granted, it won't be doing anything right away, I'll just try it out and see how it works. If it works well, I'll try using it for my portage tree (Gentoo). Depending on how much I like it, I might try it using it in other places.
BTW, what is the deal with ReiserFS being dog-slow for copying large files ? It's also dog-slow mounting larger partitions (ie: 80gb). I've tried tweaking everything to no avail. Now I just use Ext3.
It's more or less a totally different filesystem. Get over it.
Because "all-natural" women will take offense ?
What good are those digits if you're not going to use them ? And never mind that other guy...
I use Gentoo. I don't think it's appropriate for the target audience I had in mind.
I think I'll elaborate on this a bit more. No computer newbie these days should be using an install cd and rolling the dice. With Knoppix you can see approximately how well everything will work beforehand. This is the be-all end-all of software installation!
I haven't tried Knoppix recently, so I don't know what has been done, but this is the ideal. We want a polished install program, which can handle partitioning with an icon on the desktop "Install to Hard Drive". Debian repositories should be automatically queried, and security updates downloaded automatically. It needs an "update software" program which shows a list of programs (not libraries), and installs necessary updates. Then it needs a "new software browser" which can browse and search the library of available programs (not libraries) and can install them. This would be it.
Knoppix. Include directions for installing to hard drive and setting up Debian. It still needs a bit more polish, but it could be killer.
I consider re-releasing BSD code under the GPL to be unethical, especially when the intent is to build on the existing code, rather than to rewrite it. It is analogous (but not equivalent) to the case where a proprietary software vendor modifies code and does not contribute it back. The net result is that modifications are not available to the BSD community.
Well prior to the whole Napster thing I was buying 10-15 cds a year. Since then, I've bought or been given 5 cds. I'll admit that my interest in the RIAA's music has waned somewhat, but the drop is basically out of spite. I own four DVD movies. Two were gifts, one I requested as a gift, and one is independent (plug) so it doesn't count. Also spite.
I think that re-releasing code under a more restrictive licence is unethical, period. And I think the real difference between the GPL and BSD development model is one of effort. The people who keep FreeBSD open and competitive have expend a lot of effort to do it. Often, (as you note), various improvements are contributed back, but the developers can't rely on that like the GPL developers can.
Each licence has its own strengths. I think the GPL is a better licence to have in a competitive marketplace, because it can better defend against companies with unethical tactics. The BSD style licences are better suited to well-developed technology, where technical excellence is the main consideration, and competitive posturing is minimized.
It's not a debt if no transaction has occurred.
Personally I think Microsoft is shooting themselves in the foot with this. I don't know what it's like in a big corporation, but in small businesses Office is king. The reason is simple: it has every feature anyone could reasonably expect. You can buy it, install it, and it does whatever you need. When you set aside money for new hardware, you can upgrade the software too.
Small businesses do not want to deal with some recurring cost subscription scheme. It reduces the flexibility of your cash flow and it's annoying. Small businesses (and home users) want a widget, and if Microsoft won't provide one, or won't provide one at reasonable cost, their business will dry up as people look elsewhere.
According to the article, at the time it was deemed too risky to clean up. One has to wonder what sort of logic goes into that decision. What were they thinking ???
"Maybe it will blow up on its own and no one will blame us."
I can only pray that the real George Lucas is dead and has been spinning in his grave for a decade now.
Offtopic, but I love your use of when in the article summary :)
Morrowind, which has two expansions.
I thought Blinx was a pretty good game overall. There was lots of interesting stuff to do, some areas were fast and frantic, and it was very polished. I prefer the "open world" style platformer to timed levels, but Blinx was still a fun game.
Funny, I don't get any viagra spam these days : Vagira, v.i.a.gra, vl4gr4 (whatever the hell that is), but the good people at Pfzier have been leaving me alone.
For what it's worth, I'm sure xfig can do a "death spiral".
Or they will simply crush open source with patent lawyers. Let's see, $400 an hour and your average lawyer might weigh, oh, about 200 lbs. Microsoft has 60 billion dollars. That's a lot of crushing.