On Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:18:09 -0700 "Alan M. Evans" <ame1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > No. Nothing in most proprietary licenses restrict them being linked into > programs containing parts with other licenses. The thing that restricts > this is the GPL. Your statement is patently false. Naw, unfortunately you're wrong. The point is that patent/proprietary licenses reduce your freedom to use a technology. It's the open source software that gives you the most freedom. There is nothing in the GPL that prevents you from linking with proprietary libraries. What it restricts is distributing a combined product that uses the free software without giving anything back. You see? It's about preventing the theft of free software by those who would give nothing back, just take. > Why should a *user* who owns a proprietary widget not benefit from > having that widget *and* also benefit from free software? The answer is > that the GPL won't allow it. No, you're wrong again. A *user* is free to do whatever they want. The GPL only restricts distribution, not use. > It's notable that said user will likely not understand this and so > conclude that free software is crap because it won't work with his > widget. That other OS works just fine! Perhaps some education is needed. > From the standpoint of an end user, it's unfortunate to have to choose > between: 1 Using GPL'd software that he prefers, and 2. Using the widget > that he prefers. Tough! This is about protecting the interests of the people that created the software. GPL software isn't meant as a free-ride-for-all, it's about providing great software for use by like-minded-people. As I said in my first email, the stated restriction is a very Good Thing. Even if it causes some people to bellyache that they're not getting enough of a free ride. > Again, it's not the video card in my laptop that restricts me. It works > just fine. It's the GPL'd software that restricts me by not working with > my video card. It can't because the GPL says so. That's just bullshit. You're freedoms are much more restricted by the video card producers than any GPL software. Yet somehow you're blind to it. > Please don't misunderstand. I don't have any real problem with the GPL. > It's just a license. That's ok. I do, however, see quite a few GPL > evangelists running about with a see-no-evil approach to their preferred > license. Stop for a moment and realize that, while the GPL may have some > real advantages, it also has some disadvantages. Pointing out those > disadvantages is not heresy. I don't have a problem with the GPL or with proprietary licenses either. However i do see many many more evangelists running about with a see-no-evil approach for proprietary licenses. Stop for a moment and realize that, while proprietary licenses may have some real advantages, they also have some disadvantages. Pointing out those disadvantages is not heresy. Sean
