--------------------------------
MY POINT: All software should be 'public domain' (as defined by
Richard Stallman), and there shouldn't be _any_ liscences. Truly
free (as in air).
--------------------------------
I was just reading Richard Stallman's essays about the GNU
philosophy a few days back. From what I have read and understood
(maybe misunderstood) so far, Richard Stallman differentiates
between public domain software (PDS) and free software (FS).
While FS is free for modification and re-use, it requires
copylefting so that the modifier does not further restrict the
s/w from being modified. That's the GPL.
PDS, on the other hand, allows for free modification and re-use,
without any restrictions (no liscence). Now isn't that complete
freedom? Shouldn't all s/w be PDS in that case (instead of FS)?
NOTE: PDS allows for the use of the s/w, as proprietary s/w,
after modification. But if ALL s/w is PDS (enforced), then this
automatically removes the option of the s/w being used further
as proprietary.
--
Manish Jethani
http://mjworld.hypermart.net/
The nice thing about Windows is - It does not just crash, it
displays a
dialog box and lets you press 'OK' first.
(Arno Schaefer's .sig)
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