On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:29:55 +0530, Sachin G Nambiar
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
> I understand that if the license allows it it's fine,but my
> contention is it's still free software even if it's not freely
> distributable, because i allow you (as a maker) to use it in anyway
> you wish to change it in anyway you wish and but don't give it away
> for free (as in beer) just because i allow you to do anything with
> it for your own use.
In the context of free software, you can only call it free if
it has the four cardinal freedoms as defined by the page titled the
free software definition: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
* The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
* The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your
needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition
for this.
* The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
(freedom 2).
* The freedom to improve the program, and release your
improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits
(freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for
this.
You are trying to restrict the fundamental freedoms 2 and 3;
which makes it non-free software.
Even wikipedia seems to be with me on this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software_license
says: "Free software is software which grants recipients the freedom
to modify and redistribute the software.
So, non-redistribution does not cut mustard.
Oh, and the DFSG pretty much asks for re-distributability,
which means so does the open soirce initiatives definition of free
software.
You are talking about free software, a term that has pretty
well established semantics associated with it. While you might be
free to make up your own meanings for words, doing so is not really
conducive to meaningful communication.
manoj
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Manoj Srivastava <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <http://www.golden-gryphon.com/>
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