Quoting optimus ([EMAIL PROTECTED]): > The good thing with free software/open source software is that if it's > implemented badly the first time around, it's gonna get fixed and be > better the second time around.
_And_ anyone sufficiently motivated may take over maintenance. There's plenty of software for which source code is available, but only under restrictive terms that don't allow third parties to "fork" the project and start producing modified source code and redistributed it, e.g., xv, post-3.91 versions of pine/pico, and most DJBware (qmail, ezmlm, djbdns, etc.). The problem with those projects is that the copyright owner is a single point of failure: If for any reason he ceases to offer new versions, the project effectively dies (except via distribution of source patches, which isn't really practical over the long run). See also: http://linuxmafia.com/~rick/essays/forking.html -- Cheers, The Viking's Reminder: Rick Moen Pillage first, _then_ burn. [EMAIL PROTECTED] _ Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fully Searchable Archives With Friendly Web Interface at http://marc.free.net.ph To subscribe to the Linux Newbies' List: send "subscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
