I repeat.

Post #218,124

8/8/05 2:27:25 PM

I repeat.

Use something else. Do your due diligence when making your software selections, and decide what restrictions you can and cannot live with.

Whining about the licence is like whining about the fact they wrote it in C++, Pascal, or Object COBOL: pointless.

And, honestly, who cares what "business" chooses? If you're that bothered about "business", why are you trying to get something for nothing? Pay up, like a proper little consumer!

A point you MUST remember is that the FSF gives not a flying fuck what "business" wants or needs. They're about Free Software, for their definition of "Free".

The software landscape is a Darwinian place; if the GPLv3 is so disastrously restrictive that no-one wants to use it, then no-one will.

Sure, people will be around to go, "I told you so", but the FSF is equally likely to respond "And?".

Post #218,130

by imric

8/8/05 2:38:01 PM

I care about this, Peter.

If the GPL's progress is imeded by developers just accepting this like sheep, then GPLed software will NOT be used in business. And business is where I use most software. Proprietary crap is what makes my life miserable; having crap changes forced on me by vendors with a marketing agenda, and NOT being able to fix problems with the software as I encounter them. GPL(v2) software offered a way out - v3 cuts off that hope. If my interpretation of it is correct, anyway, and being that you simply accept that interpretation, I must believe that it's a fair one.

Let's put it this way - I _DO_ do due diligence, and with GPL3, there is far less advantage to using GPLed software. The source becomes useless to business. Unless they want to be a software publisher - and, guess what? That ISN'T what most businesses want to do.

[link|http://www.runningworks.com|

]

Imric's Tips for Living

Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.

Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.

Post #218,133

by pwhysall

8/8/05 2:40:51 PM

8/8/05 2:44:15 PM

I don't doubt that you care.

I do, however, doubt that the developer community at large will either (a) care or (b) understand. More likely, they'll be somewhere between (a) and (b).

If the only people using GPL3 software are the FSF, then the problem will cure itself; people will move to a more relaxed licence or will stick with GPL2, which will remain a valid licence.

Storm in a teacup, matey.

Edited by pwhysall Aug. 8, 2005, 02:44:15 PM EDT

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Post #218,140

by imric

8/8/05 2:53:44 PM

It's true that it may be less of a problem

than my paranoia screams, but if so, it will only be because of paragraph 9 re: successor licenses:

The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.

Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions either of that version or of any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software Foundation.

IOW, if you get old versions of the software with v2 in the license when v3 comes out, they will be 'forkable' to new projects using the good v2 licensing.

I truly hope that won't be necessary though - I'd prefer to see the 'web services' clause mitigated by the time the license is released.

[link|http://www.runningworks.com|

]

Imric's Tips for Living

Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.

Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.

Welcome to IWETHEY!