Raj Mathur proclaimed:
> Like I said earlier, the article is basically friendly to Linux with
> some errors. To highlight the major quotes:
>
> [+] ...senior executives [of Microsoft] admitted that they'd not be
> able to make a cheaper or better [!!] product.
>
> [Error] ...but no one is allowed to charge money for [Linux].
Actually, people *are* allowed to sell (ie. charge money) GPL-ed software.
GPL-ed software tend to also be free (in the "zero cost" sense) software
because, according to GPL any person 'B' acquiring the software from 'A'
(let us say, for $ X) has the freedom to (i) get the source code along with
the binary, (ii) Make and redistribute modifications to the source and
(iii) share the software with C and D (including selling it).
Because of this model of allowing users to share the software they just
bought, the cost always tends towards zero. The idea is 'B', if trying to
compete with 'A', can sell multiple copies of the software they bought from
'A' for $ Y (Y <= X) hoping to make up in volume. A natural end of this
kind of undercutting is that price tends to zero ('C' can undercut 'B' by
selling it for $ Z where Z <= Y <= X... ad infinitium).
It was a solemn and profound moment when I understood this mechanics at
work in the GPL.
Thaths
--
"What's so special about this game anyway? It's just another chapter in
the pointless rivalry between Springfield and Shelbyville. They built a
mini-mall, so we built a bigger mini-mall. They made the world's largest
pizza, so we burnt down their city hall." -- Lisa Simpson
Sudhakar C13n http://people.netscape.com/thaths/ Lead Indentured Slave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information on Linux in India visit http://www.linux-india.org/
The Linux India mailing list does not accept postings in HTML format.
