I agree. Where woudl be all the software without GPL?
Let us picture this:
If as a developer I want to develop a software that I think will be of
wide-spread use and provide me a livelihood, I could pitch it on
sourceforge.net and invite others to join in and contribute. I can then
offer the software to customers and offer customization or support. The
other developers can do the same. I get to receive authorship, can
possibly write a book (royalties), support money, some lecture tours and
some fame. Much of this can translate into a decent revenue stream. When I
am bored, I can pitch another project. If I want to quit supporting, I can
do so in the comfort that there are others who will pick up the ball and
run. Everyone goes home happy.
Ryan Ware <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent by: Linux on 390 Port <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
01/05/2004 11:34 AM
Please respond to Linux on 390 Port
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
cc:
Subject: Re: Anyone Nagios? (GPL discussion)
For me this seems to mean then that if you are going to write some
software
and GPL it, then there is no financial incentive to R&D or even for the
initial development. You wan't to be doing you customizations on things
that exist, not sinking time and money into a project initially in the
hopes
that the world will find it useful and pay you to customize it. This
doesn't seem like it would lead to much new software being developed. I
mean new in the sense of different or areas where there is not a lot of
software today. It doesn't seem to foster a healthy pipeline of new
software and it does seem a lot of sourceforge is just old Unix programs
redux. GPL does seem to work though for some. I think you need to look
at
what you are trying to accomplish and think hard about the best license to
do that.
Good post Chris
