On Thu, 19 Jul 2012 01:17:49 -0400 Doug <dmcgarr...@optonline.net> wrote:
> On 07/18/2012 11:45 PM, Celejar wrote: > > On Wed, 18 Jul 2012 23:30:57 -0400 > > Gary Dale<garyd...@rogers.com> wrote: > > > > ... > > > >> Personally I think one of the biggest appeals of Debian (and of Linux in > >> general) is the commitment to freedom. IP laws and the degree to which > >> hardware vendors support freedom is relevant to purchasing decisions. > > I agree. > > > >> Debian users need to understand that attempts to encumber knowledge for > >> profit are inherently wrong. > > I don't wholly agree here. I have a very strong preference for FLOSS, > > for many reasons, but I fully respect the rights of others to develop, > > sell, buy and use non-FLOSS. It is the right of others, individuals and > > corporations, to develop, market and sell proprietary software; it is > > my right to avoid such stuff to whatevenr extent possible. > > > The problem is that there is a huge number of specialized programs > developed to fill a particular need, in many cases using a great deal > of specialized knowledge. There are, for example, microwave CAD ... > Sorry for the bandwidth, but I think the Linux user--I'm certainly > one of them--needs to realize what real specialized software is, and > what it costs to develop, and why it's not free. > > BTW: when I mention expensive, I'm not talking Microsoft Office > numbers, I'm talking 5 and 6 figures! Thanks for the detailed explanation; I understood your basic point, although the detail was certainly illuminating. Was this directed to me? As I wrote above, I'm perfectly comfortable with the rights of creators to charge whatever they feel their product is worth / whatever the market will bear / whatever they feel it costs them to design / produce it. If I need it enough, and there's no FLOSS alternative, I'll buy it. -- Celejar <cele...@gmail.com> -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20120719151807.8c190a4c64908a7c2a24d...@gmail.com