Re: Linux... OK but definitely second best

[Steve Cohen <stevecoh@mcs.com>]

Brett Glass wrote:

> At 12:06 AM 7/28/98 -0400, Robin wrote:
>
> >Read the piece in Forbes about free software.
>
> I have.
>
> >And note that
> >Richard Stallings has nothing to do with Linux.
>
> Er, that's StallMAN.
>
> Actually, he CLAIMS credit for Linux. See
>
> http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html
>
> in which Richard says that Linux should be called "GNU/Linux"
> or "the GNU system."
>
> >He's a nice
> >man, I'm sure, but I don't think he's all that happy with
> >the pure anarchy of Linux development.
>
> I dunno about that either. Richard certainly has some views
> that one might classify as anarchistic.
>
> >Of course, none of the govvies and other "I know what's best
> >for you" people like Linux. The mentality that tries to
> >*make* people wear motorcycle helmets, stop smoking, give up
> >their guns, go to a particular church, stop making
> >fast-cornering rear-engine cars because some people are too
> >stupid to drive them correctly, etc. is notably intolerant
> >of true freedom.
>
> Of course, the Free Software Foundation "knows what's best for you"
> too. And makes no bones about saying so. (See
>
> http://www.fsf.org
>
> and you'll see what I mean.) All software MUST be "free," you see, but
> we (the FSF) don't define "free" as being truly free, but "free" in the
> way WE want, which isn't free.
>
> This makes some of us quite uncomfortable with THEM, too.
>
> --Brett

Can you give an example of HOW the GPL has produced pernicious results?
You keep saying that it does, and I haven't got enough experience to agree
or disagree with you, so an actual example would help.  I'm assuming you
yourself must have had some bad experiences with this along the way - I'd
like to know what they are.

You need to be careful, though about accusing people of things - such as
"knowing what's best for you."  Why, in your very previous post, you wrote
"we should ENCOURAGE them to do what produces the greatest long-term
benefit for all concerned -- including them."  Pot calling kettle black?
In short, I'd like to see your case made with more light and less heat.




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