On 1/8/07, Hugh Fisher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Kyle Winkler wrote:
> We should defiantly jump on any opportunity to team up with the FSF. Even
> if you don't agree with them 100%, they are very good at getting things
> done, and they are after the same things we are. They apparently have some
> monetary resources as well, as they pledged $60,000 to the Free Ryzom
> project before it failed.
I strongly disagree.
When this project was started, there was a long debate about
how 'free' / 'libre' the project was. The eventual outcome
was that we don't care what OS gets used and that the specs
and driver code would be available to Linux, BSD, and yes
even Microsoft Windows.
That fits the definition of 'open source' rather than 'free
software' as promoted by the FSF.
The FSF defines Free software as software that gives you the four
freedoms: (from gnu.org)
* 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.
These are also the goals for our project. "Free" vs "Open" in this
case is simply a matter of nomenclature, as the drivers would be both.
I'd also point out that the FSF has a reputation, deserved
or not, for being hostile to business interests, which may
make it harder to find OEM/etc partners.
I don't know how. The Web site states that the drivers will be duel
licensed, so both the Free/Open software people and "business
interests" would be happy. I would also argue that even a pure
GPL/LGPL solution would not be truly hostile to business interests, as
there are already many examples of people making a lot of money off of
GPL'ed code.
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