Werner Almesberger schreef op wo 24-08-2011 om 17:23 [-0300]: > Having non-Free elements in a process of a Free project > weakens the project, because it increases the barrier for > participation. People who don't have access to these > elements will then simply be limited to shouting from the > sidelines while some of them could play a much more > productive role otherwise. I've seen this happen in practice > over and over again.
Indeed. What I think Ron means, is that it may be acceptable to use non-free software to actually accomplish things while waiting for acceptable free alternatives. Personally, I agree with this for hardware (like putting a proprietary SoC in the NanoNote), but not for software. In the case of software, using it actually makes it better and fast, too (assuming you are reporting bugs and/or sending patches). For hardware this is much slower. Also, for the SoC the problem isn't that the quality is not enough, but that there is no free alternative yet. > What surprises me a bit about those CAD tools is that people > make all the effort of developing those interactive tools, > but then don't go the comparably small extra way of actually > turning them into something that would make it a considerably > more powerful tool. > > I wonder if it's them just somehow overlooking this > possibility, of if this has been tried and they ran into > unsurmountable practical difficulties I'm not aware of. I'm currently trying to finally finish some projects. I've been starting lots of projects, but finishing hasn't been my strength. I see the same problem with many other software developers. I think this is what you're seeing. "the problem can be solved, let's move on to the next challenge." Thanks, Bas _______________________________________________ Qi Hardware Discussion List Mail to list (members only): [email protected] Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://lists.en.qi-hardware.com/mailman/listinfo/discussion
