There is an important difference between open-source and free software -- a distinction the author of this letter fails to make. The open-source movement is dedicated to the idea that real progress depends on sharing information (particularly source code) openly. That way "progress" takes place only when someone actually writes a better program. The open-source movement (and GPL) still allow people to make money off their open-source software... RedHat is a multi-billion dollar corporation (well, at least they were worth that much a few years ago).
Open-source software is not necessarily free-ware (though it is wonderful when it is!).
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There is an important difference between open-source and free software -- a distinction the author of this letter fails to make. The open-source movement is dedicated to the idea that real progress depends on sharing information (particularly source code) openly. That way "progress" takes place only when someone actually writes a better program. The open-source movement (and GPL) still allow people to make money off their open-source software... RedHat is a multi-billion dollar corporation (well, at least they were worth that much a few years ago). Open-source software is not necessarily free-ware (though it is wonderful when it is!).