Re: [social] Re: Luxurosity MP3

[Travis Beaty]

Hello.

This is a response to quite a few people, and rather general in nature, so I didn't feel it would do much good to include previous posts on this one.

True, what they are doing isn't strictly illegal.  However, it is unethical and, IMHO blatantly false advertising.  They use the technique known as "the truth from a certain point of view."

Here's an example using Linux, albeit it is over-simplified at least in terms of licensing issues.

~~~~~

Ladies and Gentlemen ...

Here at the Acme Operating System coming, we've got an exclusive on the greatest operating system on the planet.  Used by countless people worldwide, our operating system is at the top of its class.  We've made sure it includes the greatest software available:  our top of the line office suite, a full host of compilers, a full range of multimedia applications!  In fact, our operating system has been designed by trained engineers to even offer such special amenities as multiple desktops ... relieve all that clutter!

In fact, if you act now, we'll even include the SOURCE CODE -- that's right, folks, the SOURCE CODE to all of this software, free of charge!

Just send $150.22 to the following address, and we'll have your special DVD set, including Our Special Operating System, and the source code, sent out to you immediately.

~~~~

Now, then, did I lie about anything?  Nope ...

1.  I do have the operating system, I'm using it right now.

2.  It is used by countless people ... hell, I don't have the time to count them.

3.  Is it at the top of its class?  Well, that's arguable depending on the persuasion of who you talk to.  Personally, I hate spinach, but there are people out their who believe it to be the "premier" vegetable.

4.  Have we made sure it includes (what we apparently think) is the greatest software available?  Yep.

5.  Is that top of the line office suite ours?  Yes it is.  I have a copy of OpenOffice, and I can redistribute it accordingly.  Note, I didn't say I created it; I simply said it was "ours," in that we were in possession of it.

6.  Has our operating system been designed by trained engineers?  Sure has ... I imagine there are a lot of trained engineers in the free software world, OpenOffice included.

7.  Will we really send the source code if you act now?  Well, of course, because we have to.  And, note that we didn't say we wouldn't if you *didn't* act now, did we?


This is the same hooey that Luxuriosity spreads around -- it's true, and it ain't, at the same time.  I'm sorry, but IMHO, such business practices are plain wrong.  No matter how much the publicity might help OpenOffice's cause, I don't think it would help an honest community's cause to be thrown in the same saddle bag as this snake oil salesman.

Again, I have nothing against selling open source software; in fact, less than a month ago, I *bought* a copy of Linux (SuSE 9.2).  However,  they make it apparent on the packaging from the get-go that it is Linux, not some special SuSE OS.  And they don't swindle people into thinking they created the software, whether it be by outright statements (which I cannot find that Luxuriosity as done) or by fancy peddler talk (which, Luxuriosity is a good example of).

That's just my opinion.  Your results may vary.


Travis.