>Alain : We might also want to consider a clause that
>prohibits certains uses that would be prejudicial to
>our reputations, and so on. It might seem a little bit
>odd to bring this up, but it is a standard part of an
>author's rights.
Anthony : Please define... I'm not sure what you mean.
Alain : It�s a little known clause (but nonetheless standard) that
allows an author to prohibit the exploitation of his work by people or
organizations that would adversely affect his reputation. Such nasties,
for example, as Aparteid, Nukes, etc. More relevantly, organizations
that would subvert our project, such as MicroSloth, etc. No, I am not
usually the paranoid type!
>> Uli : Of course, we could provide special licenses
>> for icons, graphics etc. which only allows that they
>> be used in an OpenCard stack, and nowhere else ?
>Alain : The number of licences to obtain for a complete
>project would probably be discouragingly high.
Anthony : If they were all OpenSource licences, it would not be a
problem.
Alain : I remain skeptical. One OpenSource licence per element (icons,
graphics, sounds, components, source code, etc) is still a lot of
licences. How will the licence of each element be specified,
maintained, and reported to the developer? Will the developer have to
contact any or all of these licensors to obtain their permission?
Wouldn�t it be easier to have ONE umbrella licence for everything all
at once?
>Alain : I believe that people are inherently creative,
>and would work even if, hypothetically, money was no
>longer in the picture. Like in Star Trek !
Anthony : I don't believe that people would work for no reward. And I
don't believe history believes it, either. You don't want my opinion on
altruism, in all likely-hood, because that would start a political
debate :)
Alain : I am prepared to have this debate with you, if and when we find
the time and you are so inclined. Not on the list though, of course.
>Alain : Not to mention the fact that Open Source, in
>conjunction with the Internet, is an economic and
>socio-political phenomenon of great interest. When you
>get (federations of) small groups of people to
>assemble, communicate, and collaborate together,
>efficiently and democratically, "shit" happens !
Anthony : Hey... wait a second.. shit generally is not a good thing
<g>.
Alain : It�s like the american saying �That�s BAD, man� to signify that
you think something is GOOD. To clarify what I meant : while the
current state of affairs always seems unchangeable, new phenomenons
such as Internet and OpenSource could change things quite
substantially, and quite quickly too. Positive outcomes of such radical
changes are by no means assured, but they are certainly possible if
well-meaning concert themselves.
>Alain : It may even set the stage for the beginning of
>a new social order based on some form of participatory
>democracy.
Anthony : A government by consent of the governed... wow... what a
concept!
Alain : Exactly! On a smaller more immediate scale, I would like the
UFP and/or OpenCard to adopt such a form of government. An organization
of free individuals who are governed by a set of mutally-agreed-upon
rules and principles, drafted by and with the participation and consent
of those so-governed. Incidentally, I am not talking about
government-by-majority-rule, which would mean amongst other things that
the group could not force you to do anything that you are against.
Anthony : Tell Clinton some time please :)
Alain : Not just Clinton. Pretty much all of our contemporary
politicians, eh !
>It may sound a little bit far-fetched, I suppose, but
>one should not under-estimate the impact of new media
>in the shaping of our societies. If in doubt, then read
>Marshall McLuhan (Global Village and so much more).
>And, if you're REALLY interested, I can provide you
>with other notable sources of inspiration for your
>reading pleasure. Just ask.
Anthony : Hmmm... I'd start with Atlas Shrugged.
Alain : Is this a book title? An author? Or what?
Alain : PS: I am enjoying these exchanges :)
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