Re: [seul-edu] free software / open source

[Doug Loss <drloss@suscom.net>]

"Jeremy C. Reed" wrote:

> On Mon, 17 Dec 2001, Tom Annis wrote:
>
> > The Free Software Foundation is also careful to make a
> > very important distinction between "commercial" and
> > "proprietary" software. "Commercial software is
> ...
>
> > commercial software is proprietary, but there is
> > commercial free software, and there is non-commercial
> > non-free software." In plain English, "proprietary"
> > software is never "open-source" since you do not have
> > free access to the source code.
>
> A lot of people consider GPL'd code or content to be proprietary because
> you can't freely reuse it within closed (no source publically available)
> software.
>

This is a semantic distinction.  It clearly is "proprietary" in the sense of
"something that is used, produced, or marketed under exclusive legal right of
the inventor or maker;" all software that isn't in the public domain (i.e.,
that is copyrighted) falls under that definition.  In the sense of "privately
owned and managed and run as a profit-making organization," it clearly isn't
proprietary, as it is freely made available to anyone who asks, the only
caveat being that any changes they make must also be made available freely.

>
> GPL'd code is not open for all purposes.
>

Of course it isn't.  If it was, it would be in the public domain.  It _is_
open for all purposes except that of proprietary (second definition)
modification and sequestration of the source code.

>
> > This is my understanding of the GNU, but I welcome any
> > clarifications.
>
> Open source is good for encouraging peer review (which results in improved
> performance, usability, stability and security), and, in many cases,
> promoting standards. But, because the GPL license discourages many good
> programmers from using the code, it sometimes stops the true sharing of
> code (or ideas).

No, it never stops the true sharing of code or ideas.  What it does is
prohibit coders from doing so.  If the coders aren't willing to share their
code, they aren't given the right to modify and distribute their
modifications.  They can modify for their own use, just not distribute.  If
that discourages them from using the code, too bad for them.  [shrug]

--
Doug Loss                 All I want is a warm bed
Data Network Coordinator  and a kind word and
Bloomsburg University     unlimited power.
dloss@bloomu.edu                Ashleigh Brilliant