Of course all changes to the GPLv2 programs can be moved to GPLv3 but not the other way. No they can't. The GPLv3 places additional restrictions on the code, so the GPLv2 is incompatible with the GPLv3. The GNU project circumvents this issue by having the copyright to their entire code base. If outside parties grab the GPLv2 source, make changes to it, and do not give the FSF copyright, then the FSF cannot distribute the changes with the GPLv3 code base.
1. Attack DRM. Consequences for FOSS? Slithe says it'll set it back 5-10 years (probably hyperbole. What is the basis of the logic? I've yet to see any.) The reason the switch is a problem is that the GPL is now a victim of its own success. There is quite a bit of code out there that has been licensed under the GPLv2. Since the GPLv3 adds additional restrictions, GPLv2 code is incompatible with GPLv3 code. If the GNU project licenses future versions of the GNU tool-chain under the GPLv3, and several major projects remain under the GPLv2, this could either seriously hamper adoption of GPLv3 or it could cause a lot of chaos as distros have to maintain two different versions of the programs. Major companies (such as RedHat) like to remain in strict compliance with contracts/licenses/etc., and if the licenses of several major projects are incompatible with the (L)GPLv3, but several other major projects license their work under the GPLv3, it will be hell to maintain who links to what, etc. If there is enough desire to remain with the GPLv2, all GNU code will be forked, and the bargaining power of the FSF will be greatly reduced (which is bad for Free Software). If some distros use GPLv3 code, and some do not, then it could be hell writing an application that would work across Linux distros (if the libraries are incompatible). Also, all this infighting between various factions of the FLOSS world tarnishes the reputation of FLOSS, and interested parties could be dissuaded from using it, which destroys the momentum of the movement. Linux and open-source in general have built up a lot of momentum, and if that momentum is destroyed now, I do not know when (if ever) it will be built up again. If this happens, FLOSS will almost certainly be "made impractical" for the next generation of digital activities.
Linus "learned" this lesson with the BitKeeper fiasco. Did he? I think he began using BitKeeper because it was the code-management software that best fitted his needs, and it had a free-to-use version. When the free-to-use version was pulled, because the creator was an overbearing, whiny bitch, Linus sucked it up and wrote a code-management program that suited his needs as well as Bitkeeper did (bringing with him years of experience managing an EXTREMELY complex software project). I am not sure if he had that experience when he first began using BitKeeper. To summarize, Linus first used a tool that both existed and worked for him; when it stopped working, he could not find a suitable replacement, so he created one. To me, that does not sound like a criticism of proprietary.
Most of us have learned this at some point in our lives. But there are still people, yourself included, who use the word "practical" as if it contradicts "ideological", as if the ideology has no basis in reason to begin with. I thought OSS already had a good antidote against DRM: open disclosure. Most DRM tactics I have seen rely on obfuscation of deciphering information, and requiring source code effectively nullifies that problem. If you are talking about TCPA, then I guess that some people fear that one day, OMG, M$ wi11 0wn j00r b0xor!!!1!!!1!!! All j00r ba$3 ar3 b310ng 70 Micr0$047!!!111!!
Color me unimpressed, but I don't think that is a serious threat. Some of us have learned that it is stupid to restrict a certain form of use based on a boogey-man threat of TCPA. But there are still people, yourself included, who use the word "DRM" as if it meant the end of OSS as we know it.
You can't make more free software by making it less free. I agree wholeheartedly. THAT is why I oppose the GPLv3.
If there is one thing I have learned about rms, it is that he cares far more about ideology than popularity or practicality. To him and the FSF, "freeing" software from the evils of DRM, etc. MUST be done even if it sets FLOSS back 5-10 years (which it almost certainly will). I wonder if the BSD toolset will now be ported to Linux?
Think of iPhone vs mainstream phones a bit like in the graphics card arena: the 8800 GTX makes big headlines and pretty graphs on the news and review sites, but those slow 64 MB are what sells millions of chips and brings in the cash. I agree with you up until that point. If the low-end is where all the money is, why is Apple the most profitable computer company and not Dell (I think Apple is more profitable)? It seems that the high-end is where all the profit is, because it allows you to milk people who will gladly pay a 50% mark-up just to gain a few FPS or to have a sexy computer.
The problem comes from Excel vs. OOSpreadsheet. I remember that when I had several rows (and a graph) with several thousand datapoints, OO DDRRRAAAGGGED along while Excel handled the datapoints very nicely. I can see that some financial work might require that many data points.
What about digital schools? Why can't academics be done online? I think a major problem with schools is that they try to do two entirely different things: academic knowledge and social development. I think we should split up these two tasks.
I wanted to point-out that this voucher would be worth $x000, and it would be given to every child. This would probably have to be a federal program (so that quality could be maintained from sea to shining sea), but as long as the government does not fuck the qualifications up too bad, it should be just fine.
In a government-controlled system it is great when your side is in control, but when the other side gains control, it can be hellish. I used to be a Libertarian (now I consider myself more of a Paleoconservative); however, I recognize the necessity of public funding for healthcare and schools; however, I still think that one should have a variety of publically-funded options available to them. If every child had a school voucher (that could only be given to an education institute that met certain basic academic qualifications), I think the education system could be improved greatly.
Check that date again? That's right. You haven't found anything else to shove in our faces in nearly TWO HUNDRED FUCKING YEARS. And let's get something straight. It wasn't EVEN the Canadians that burned the White House. It was the British. The Canadians fought alongside the British in the War of 1812, but it wasn't them who burned the White House. If you look anywhere online (other than an Anti-USA Canadian comebacks page) it ALWAYS says the British did it. And NO, being a British Colony doesn't make you British. As you're so fond of reminding the whole world every chance you get, "I am Canadian, Eh!" So, Canadian, no bragging rights for British accomplishments. That's like someone winning the Nobel Prize and having his CAT take credit for it. While you're digesting the fact that you can't take credit for burning down A particular building, consider the fact that WE BURNED THE WHOLE CITY OF TORONTO FIRST (York, the capital of Upper Canada at the time). The British burned Washington, including the White House in 1814. Also, you say that bit about us not being able to burn Ottawa as though it was even the capital of Canada during the War of 1812. Kingston was the capital of Canada at the time. Ottawa wasn't named the capital of Canada until 1857. I guess when you're uneducated enough to think Canada burned Washington D.C. you're uneducated enough to think Ottawa was always Canada's capital.
Slashdot Mirror
This is rather cool. Is there anything like this in the OSS world? I would not be surprised if there is soon!
If there is one thing I have learned about rms, it is that he cares far more about ideology than popularity or practicality. To him and the FSF, "freeing" software from the evils of DRM, etc. MUST be done even if it sets FLOSS back 5-10 years (which it almost certainly will). I wonder if the BSD toolset will now be ported to Linux?
I think it is about 1050 lbs. Can you still compete with that?
Or, you know, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation could use their resources to build a mosquito-net factory in West Africa.
It was $25,000 per quarter. That does not mean the bloggers are receiving money for the whole year.
You are confusing gratis with libre. Free Speech is Free as in Freedom not as in Cost.
That is fucking disgusting!! It is kind of funny, though it is off-topic.
I have not RTFA yet, but are there any other links (such as from arXiv) that would detail the techniques used in more detail.
We can always give their computer systems a virus.
So why don't we actually take steps to STOP crime (and not lame-ass responses like banning guns).
The problem comes from Excel vs. OOSpreadsheet. I remember that when I had several rows (and a graph) with several thousand datapoints, OO DDRRRAAAGGGED along while Excel handled the datapoints very nicely. I can see that some financial work might require that many data points.
What about China?
The solutions is simple: Open up the Airwaves.
The problem is that we now have wireless internet access, so this may be a legal reason to censor the Internet.
What about digital schools? Why can't academics be done online? I think a major problem with schools is that they try to do two entirely different things: academic knowledge and social development. I think we should split up these two tasks.
The idea is that more private schools would open up to accommodate all the kids with vouchers. The biggest problem would be zoning regulations that are stacked against private schools. Of course school choice exists today, provided you have few ethics.
I wanted to point-out that this voucher would be worth $x000, and it would be given to every child. This would probably have to be a federal program (so that quality could be maintained from sea to shining sea), but as long as the government does not fuck the qualifications up too bad, it should be just fine.
In a government-controlled system it is great when your side is in control, but when the other side gains control, it can be hellish. I used to be a Libertarian (now I consider myself more of a Paleoconservative); however, I recognize the necessity of public funding for healthcare and schools; however, I still think that one should have a variety of publically-funded options available to them. If every child had a school voucher (that could only be given to an education institute that met certain basic academic qualifications), I think the education system could be improved greatly.