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Re: Real men don't attack straw men

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To: Travers Buda <traversbuda@...>
Cc: Richard Stallman <rms@...>, <misc@...>
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 10:24 am

> Are you afraid that people are just going to go after features

I really wish people would stop using these free analogies.  They are
misleading and stupid.

GPL licensed software = Gratis software (before you point out that some
dictionaries use the word "free" as a synonym... remember in school when
you had to pick the "best option"; that's what this is, the best word to
describe something).

ISC licensed software = Free software and let me quote some dictionary
entries so that we all know what we are talking about:
- exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a
  person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent;
  unrestricted.
- able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.
- exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains,
  burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of): free from worry; free of
  taxes.
- given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of
  legal advice.
- not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.: The
  ship was given free passage.
- that may be used by or is open to all: a free market.


There is no such thing as free beer.  Someone, somewhere paid for
production, distribution, etc etc.  This is a stupid concept.

Free as in speech as it is used has similar issues.
The GPL license is full of legal restrictions and can therefore NOT be
considered free speech.  I can talk all day long on how free my license
is (free speech) but it doesn't mean it is true.  Where it falls apart
is that the GPL enforces legal restrictions that limit free speech.  So
lets call it what it is; GPL software is gratis.

RMS definitions of free/liberty/freedom etc are contorted to fit his
believe system.  They are not legal definitions and worse not even
correct English.  Got to love that the non-native speaker has to point
that out.

Do yourself a favor and stop listening to his stupid rhetoric.
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Messages in current thread:
Re: Real men don't attack straw men, Marco Peereboom, (Sat Dec 15, 10:24 am)
Re: Real men don't attack straw men, Daniel Ouellet, (Sat Dec 15, 4:58 pm)
Re: Real men don't attack straw men, Travers Buda, (Sat Dec 15, 3:52 pm)
speck-geostationary