Jamie Lokier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Brett Glass wrote:
> > >I really don't want to hear how you could possibly
> > >have read that into the GPL.
> >
> > I guess, then, that you don't want to hear Richard
> > Stallman's own writings and speeches, which state
> > the destructive purposes of the GPL clearly and
> > explicitly.
> >
> > The GPL is explicitly designed to hurt programmers'
> > interests and livelihoods. Ignore this fact at
> > your peril.
>
> As a programmer, I've read the GPL and the GNU manifesto a few times and
> I saw opportunities for me to make lots more money... programming and
> sharing my knowledge.
>
I hate to join in this thread; really I do. I think we have a case
here of one person being deluded into thinking something that is not
true. I highly doubt there is anyone else on this list buying his
propoganda. However, I want to express that there are thinking people
that disagree.
I too have read the GPL and GPL Manifesto. I do so often. For me
Free Software is an ethical decision. Further, I have actually seen
and heard RMS talk in person about the GPL and the history of FSF. He
is point is that the GPL is the _only_ ethical way to write software.
He has no intentions of hurting programmer wages. He has never said,
"I want all programmers to work for free or at poverty level graduate
student rates." In fact, he himself charges very high rates for his
time.
While this list is obviously not the right forum for this discussion,
I do think it is good that we as programmers of free software think
about why we do what we do. I do it because I believe in sharing. In
fact, I punish my 2 year old when he doesn't share. How can I do that
and then prohibit other's to share software?
My time, however, is a precious resource (really the only one I have).
I spend it wisely. Sometimes I choose to give it to my wife or my
son. Sometimes I choose to give it to my community. I believe I am
really investing time in those situations. I expect the long term
benifits to outway any immediate gains I might be sacrificing.
Sometimes I have immediate needs that I must meet. In those
situations, I sell my time to meet those immediate needs.
I don't see any discrepancy between the idea of promoting sharing and
the valuation of my time. I don't think many people on this list
would.
--
(__) Doug Alcorn | program == list of computer instructions
oo / [EMAIL PROTECTED] | firmware == program that is not user modifiable
|_/ http://www.lathi.net | software == program that a user can modify
Cincinnati, OH | "If you don't have the source, it's not software"
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