Star Richard Stallman: Don't Follow Linus Torvalds
Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Wed 12th Sep 2007 04:14 UTC
GNU, GPL, Open Source Here is an interview with Richard Stallman about a range of free software topics including GPLv3 and comment on the Microsoft patent issue. Stallman has a go at Linus Torvalds even suggesting that if people want to keep their freedom they better not follow Torvalds. From the interview: "The fact that Torvalds says "open source" instead of "free software" shows where he is coming from. I wrote the GNU GPL to defend freedom for all users of all versions of a program. I developed version 3 to do that job better and protect against new threats. Torvalds says he rejects this goal; that's probably why he doesn't appreciate GPL version 3. I respect his right to express his views, even though I think they are foolish. However, if you don't want to lose your freedom, you had better not follow him."
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RE[5]: Crazy religion
by wirespot on Wed 12th Sep 2007 12:30 UTC in reply to "RE[4]: Crazy religion"
wirespot
Member since:
2006-06-21

Some FSF zealots have become so stupid lately that these days dare to say that people who thinks that the GPLv2 is better than the GPLv3 is "company-friendly" - like if people who use the GPLv2 would be using a anti-freesoftware license!


The whole point of v3 is to block loopholes in v2 that allow people (and companies) to make the software non-free. The whole point of both versions is to keep software free. GPLv2 has shortcomings and does not fulfill that purpose as well as it could. GPLv3 was created in order to address those shortcomings. Therefore, logically, anybody using GPLv2 because they like to keep software being free (as in freedom) should welcome v3.

If a developer would rather use v2 it means they don't mind those loopholes being used with their software. I don't know why someone would enjoy that, given they went with GPL and hopes for freedom in the first place. It's fair to say that most of the ones who would enjoy the loopholes in v2 to keep being available are various companies.

And we should also mention the fact that the FSF is using the "GPL v2 or later" wording of the GPLv2 to abuse from the trust that MANY people has put in the FSF and do what THEY think should be done.


You are completely ignorant in the matter. The FSF cannot change the licensing for any package it doesn't own copyright for. They can't make anybody switch to GPLv3. The author of the package is the only one making the decision. You are completely misunderstanding that clause in the GPL and if you'd take a minute to read the FSF FAQ you'd stop being an ignoramus.

The GPLv3 should have never been released as a new version of the GPL, it should have been a completely _different_ license that people could choose to use.


That's exactly how it is. GPLv3 is a distinct license and the choice rests with the package authors. Not FSF. FSF only made a license available and will use it for the GNU tools, because that's all they own copyright on. Everybody else can do what they please. There's no pressure to use GPLv3, unless you as an author feel that GPLv2 doesn't protect your software properly.

Edited 2007-09-12 12:32

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