This is what people don't get.. no one is being forced to release GPL code. No one is being forced to *use* GPL code. The *only* thing the GPL does is allow programmers who don't want their code to be commercially exploited, to have an avenue of release.
So what if commercial interests dislike the GPL? GOOD. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO. THAT MEANS THE GPL IS DOING IT'S JOB.
1. A lot of it's my own ego; I don't like being told to shut up for my own good. I don't claim to be egoless any more than Eric does. But this isn't all about ego. If it were, I wouldn't be following up on this thread.
2. I could care less whether or not someone such as you replied to my post.
3. My post was public because his essay was public. I thought it was made clear that I don't care much for the "let's keep it private" mode of conversing. Also, I don't have a personal beef with Eric, unlike apparently many folks around here.
Mr. Raymond, the last of the pimples left my face many years ago. I work for a living, doing systems programming in the corporate world. And I take exception to being stereotyped into the "pimply-faced geek" group simply because I think you've gotten a little too carried away with yourself. Not all of us are "testosterone-poisoned twerps", contrary to your assertions.
The aspect of "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" that I enjoyed so much was it's substance and lack of rhetoric. It wasn't propaganda, it seemed, until Netscape got hold of it and suddenly "Open Source" was the politically correct terminology for free software. As a programmer, I'm a very pragmatic person; rhetoric is lost on me and in fact, tends to lead me to believe that it's being used to hide something. It bothers me that you use language in such a way as to produce the impression that anyone who disagrees with you, and says so publicly, is an enemy of the Linux community.
*That*, sir, is why folks accuse you of egotism.
Your appeal to this community consisted of the fact that you were the voice of reason, that you were willing to negotiate and discuss and bring this community together. Many of us saw you as the primary spokesman for those of us who wanted to see a healthy free software community; even through your missteps over the last few months, many of us continued to believe.
Even, God help us, through the APSL debacle.
Many of us had problems - major problems - with the APSL, but for the most part we didn't blame Apple. Apple has the right to do their licensing any way they want, so long as it's legal. We didn't really have a problem with OSI backing the APSL. That's OSI's call.
But when you write something like "Take My Job, Please" - in which you stereotype vast tracts of the community, wrap yourself in your own marytrdom and play the "I'm the leader, why is no one following?" game, something is wrong. When the press carries your "retirement" by stating that the Linux leader is stepping down, something is *very* wrong. And when you publicly state that public discussion on these subjects is a liability to the success of the Linux Cause, it's time to stop things and start over.
You're not the Fearless Leader, Mr. Raymond. The future of free software does not hinge on what you say and do, and if the only way to "win" is to fall in line (or "grow up" as you put it) and goosestep behind you, then let's all please declare defeat, go home and get on with our lives.
I don't understand why this was allowed onto Slashdot. It's badly written, badly edited, and far too emotional to make a point. What's worse is the author claims to be writing a book on the "OpenSource thingy". Excuse me?
Buddy, nothing personal - because I'm sure you're a wonderful humanitarian kinda guy in person - but in the future do us all a favor and take a few deep breaths before spewing stuff like this. If you care about the Free Software community, then write software and contribute. If all you care about is hearing yourself jabber, please do so in private. The rest of us don't get a rise out of hearing it.
Slashdot Mirror
Exactly what "high price" does the GPL come at?
This is what people don't get.. no one is being forced to release GPL code. No one is being forced to *use* GPL code. The *only* thing the GPL does is allow programmers who don't want their code to be commercially exploited, to have an avenue of release.
So what if commercial interests dislike the GPL? GOOD. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO. THAT MEANS THE GPL IS DOING IT'S JOB.
Rob Warren
aleris@iag.net
1. A lot of it's my own ego; I don't like being told to shut up for my own good. I don't claim to be egoless any more than Eric does. But this isn't all about ego. If it were, I wouldn't be following up on this thread.
2. I could care less whether or not someone such as you replied to my post.
3. My post was public because his essay was public. I thought it was made clear that I don't care much for the "let's keep it private" mode of conversing. Also, I don't have a personal beef with Eric, unlike apparently many folks around here.
4. My post stands.
Rob Warren
A Note to Eric Raymond :
Mr. Raymond, the last of the pimples left my face many years ago. I work for a living, doing systems programming in the corporate world. And I take exception to being stereotyped into the "pimply-faced geek" group simply because I think you've gotten a little too carried away with yourself. Not all of us are "testosterone-poisoned twerps", contrary to your assertions.
The aspect of "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" that I enjoyed so much was it's substance and lack of rhetoric. It wasn't propaganda, it seemed, until Netscape got hold of it and suddenly "Open Source" was the politically correct terminology for free software. As a programmer, I'm a very pragmatic person; rhetoric is lost on me and in fact, tends to lead me to believe that it's being used to hide something. It bothers me that you use language in such a way as to produce the impression that anyone who disagrees with you, and says so publicly, is an enemy of the Linux community.
*That*, sir, is why folks accuse you of egotism.
Your appeal to this community consisted of the fact that you were the voice of reason, that you were willing to negotiate and discuss and bring this community together. Many of us saw you as the primary spokesman for those of us who wanted to see a healthy free software community; even through your missteps over the last few months, many of us continued to believe.
Even, God help us, through the APSL debacle.
Many of us had problems - major problems - with the APSL, but for the most part we didn't blame Apple. Apple has the right to do their licensing any way they want, so long as it's legal. We didn't really have a problem with OSI backing the APSL. That's OSI's call.
But when you write something like "Take My Job, Please" - in which you stereotype vast tracts of the community, wrap yourself in your own marytrdom and play the "I'm the leader, why is no one following?" game, something is wrong. When the press carries your "retirement" by stating that the Linux leader is stepping down, something is *very* wrong. And when you publicly state that public discussion on these subjects is a liability to the success of the Linux Cause, it's time to stop things and start over.
You're not the Fearless Leader, Mr. Raymond. The future of free software does not hinge on what you say and do, and if the only way to "win" is to fall in line (or "grow up" as you put it) and goosestep behind you, then let's all please declare defeat, go home and get on with our lives.
Please?
Rob Warren
aleris@iag.net
I don't understand why this was allowed onto Slashdot. It's badly written, badly edited, and far too emotional to make a point. What's worse is the author claims to be writing a book on the "OpenSource thingy". Excuse me?
Buddy, nothing personal - because I'm sure you're a wonderful humanitarian kinda guy in person - but in the future do us all a favor and take a few deep breaths before spewing stuff like this. If you care about the Free Software community, then write software and contribute. If all you care about is hearing yourself jabber, please do so in private. The rest of us don't get a rise out of hearing it.
Rob
http://www.iag.net/~aleris