On Tuesday 24 November 2009, Raj Mathur wrote:
> On Monday 23 Nov 2009, jaykumar hs wrote:
> > [snip]
> > In Kannada we should use the word "Swatantra tantraamsha" to mean
> >  "Free Software". In the present translated work, another kannada
> >  word "Mukta" has been used in place of "Swatantra". In Kannada,
> >  Mukta conveys two meanings based on the context we use:
> > 1) Open and 2) Freedom.
> >
> > Hence usage of this word lands us into trap to mean both Open
> >  software and Free Software. Open Source Industry surely seeks such
> >  ambiguity to further the confusion among common folks of kannada
> >  language.
>
> Just a reminder that we are talking on the FREE and OPEN source software
> community mailing list.  Apart from being, er, open to both
> terminologies (free software and open source software) by definition,
> I'd also suggest not attributing sinister motives to the "Open Source
> Industry" (whatever that is) with no shred of basis.  

The problem with "open" is you are never sure wether the open is open or 
closed. And there is ample evidence of gross misuse of the term open- M$ 
being the main culprit. And it dosent end with M$, companies who are 
supporters of FREE software also misuse the term. Sun with it's CDDL is one 
such.

> Those alarmist 
> calls belong in the FSF India mailing list, if they belong anywhere at
> all.

When we are dealing with public documents targeted at the government, there 
should be absolutely no ambiguity, especially with interpretation of words.
The term open errs on the side which harms floss. The term Free errs against 
commercial interests. The first harms everyone except the perpetrator. The 
second only requires some additional explaining by the commercial entity. Why 
is this being made out to be such a big problem?

I think name calling is more appropriate to the OSI, with it's ridiculous 
bunch of "open" licences.

I dont see either a lack of evidence for not using the word "open" or any 
alarmist hysteria in being unambiguous.

> Regards,
>
> -- Raj
>    Ex-board member, Open Source Initiative
>    Member, Free Software Award committee since 2002



-- 
Rgds
JTD
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