Hi, Philip Van Hoof wrote: > Lefty gave accurate definitions for the words he used. For example the > word "illegitimate": Richard clearly questioned the legitimacy of > proprietary software and asked us to mirror this statement. This is > archived if you don't believe me.
"illegitimate" is not a synonym for "illegal". The way Stallman uses sthe word, it is more accurate to consider it a synonym of "immoral". > Secondly: > > Lefty's last survey's exact words: > > "Legitimate" means both "not contrary to existing law" and "in accordance > with recognized or accepted standards or principles". Do you believe > that proprietary software is "illegitimate"? > > Possible meanings according to an English dictionary: > > http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/illegitimate > > > 1. born of parents who are not > married to each other; born out of > wedlock: an illegitimate child. > > -> Not relevant here > > > 2. not legitimate; not sanctioned by > law or custom. > > 3. unlawful; illegal: an > illegitimate action. > > -> Relevant, Richard used "illegitimate" within the context of > laws and legality. When talking about the proprietary nature > of a work, you are discussing legal aspects of its license. > > > 4. irregular; not in good usage. > > -> Somewhat relevant, it's clear that "proprietary" sets the > context firmly to law systems and legality. Richard could > have used less ambiguity if he meant this. He didn't. It appears to me that RMS is using illegitimate in the sense "not sanctioned by custom" perhaps - or more likely, "irregular; not in good usage". From the two options Lefty lists, "not in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles" Dave. -- Dave Neary GNOME Foundation member [email protected] _______________________________________________ foundation-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-list
