Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Sun 11th Dec 2005 19:25 UTC
Free software advocates focus on the ability to share, develop, and improve software as a community effort. But how do these freedoms affect the business community? David Chisnall takes a look.
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Member since:
2005-07-24
"Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program, for any purpose. "
"BSD Fail"
-> Wrong, you can run the BSD-software for any purpose, you're mixing the BSD-software and the derived software that uses BSD parts.
" Freedom 1: The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. "
"BSD Fail"
-> Wrong, once again you mix original BSD-software and derived software.
" Freedom 2: The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor."
"BSD fail"
-> Wrong, once again you mix original BSD-software and derived software.
"Freedom 3: The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits."
"BSD fail"
-> Wrong, once again you mix original BSD-software and derived software.
---
To me the main difference is that with BSD, the author of the software belives in the fact that the free version will always be (technically) superior to the closed version. With GPL it seems that the author is not so sure and therefore makes sure that there cannot be a closed version using the GPL code.
Philosophically I do not belive that you can provide freedome by forcing freedome upon people. Any license that restricts me from doing things with the code is less free than another license wich doesn't have such restrictions. Therefore I'd prefere the public domain, but because this is not an option in this country (can't give up intelectual property even if you want to) I'd choose BSD.
Another note: The FSF often claims that it's aim is to "make the wold a better place". Makes me wonder, if a company that produces closed source software has the options:
a) Write a TCP/IP stack (or smth. else), maybe including some bugs wich will bother everyone on the internet because it is a security problem or whatnot.
b) Use some well tested BSD-code and put it into the product.
I don't quite see how we end up better if they choose (a).
That being said I don't get why people fight over GPL vs. BSD. I'm just happy that I get to read the code
Edited 2005-12-12 15:19