Hello Friends,
When RMS was here last, he had a badge which said :
"Free Software ... Want to know more" or something like that... With the 3 logos of BSD, GNU & Linux.
I was thinking that we should make badges like those for us to use. I mean how many of us actively talk about Free Software in trains or buses? Hardly... right?
I'm thinking maybe wearing these badges may help instigate others to ask what this is and that would start the ball rolling?
Any comments?
Regards
Rishi
Rishi Gangoly wrote:
"Free Software ... Want to know more" or something like that... With the 3 logos of BSD, GNU & Linux.
Surprised that RMS wears a BSD badge. BSD people hardly agree with FSF on various issues! IIRC they do not call themselves free software. It's like bsd people putting a badge of gnu with "Open Source Want to know more"
raj
Rishi Gangoly rishi@theargoncompany.com writes:
I'm thinking maybe wearing these badges may help instigate others to ask what this is and that would start the ball rolling?
I was always thinking about this. Stickers would also be useful.
Rgds, anna
On Friday 27 Feb 2004 10:19 am, Annamalai Gurusami wrote:
I was always thinking about this. Stickers would also be useful.
Like.... do you mean we buy sitckers and stick them on plain bages that we can buy from the market? Hmm! sounds like a good idea.
I guess printing stickers wouldn't cost as much as printing on badges.
I'll find out more info on buying just badges and printing stickers on them.
Regards
Rishi
Rajkumar S wrote:
Rishi Gangoly wrote:
"Free Software ... Want to know more" or something like that... With the 3 logos of BSD, GNU & Linux.
Surprised that RMS wears a BSD badge. BSD people hardly agree with FSF on various issues! IIRC they do not call themselves free software. It's like bsd people putting a badge of gnu with "Open Source Want to know more"
What is wrong in wearing a BSD badge? I always thought that BSD people do agree with FSF on many fundamental issues, and it is only that they think they give more freedom under the FreeBSD License than the GNU GPL. For example, at the FreeBSD.org FAQ, one finds the following:
<quote> "1.2. What is the goal of the FreeBSD Project? The goal of the FreeBSD Project is to provide software that may be used for any purpose and without strings attached. Many of us have a significant investment in the code (and project) and would certainly not mind a little financial compensation now and then, but we definitely do not insist on it. We believe that our first and foremost ``mission'' is to provide code to any and all comers, and for whatever purpose, so that the code gets the widest possible use and provides the widest possible benefit. This is, we believe, one of the most fundamental goals of Free Software and one that we enthusiastically support.
That code in our source tree which falls under the GNU General Public License (GPL) or GNU Library General Public License (LGPL) comes with slightly more strings attached, though at least on the side of enforced access rather than the usual opposite. Due to the additional complexities that can evolve in the commercial use of GPL software, we do, however, endeavor to replace such software with submissions under the more relaxed FreeBSD license whenever possible." </quote>
There, you can see that they enthusiastically support the fundamental goals of Free Software.
The "slightly more strings attached" part that obviously refers to the copyleft part of the GPL, which is well justified and defended in the GNU Philosophy section. One of the chief features of free software, is the "right to fork", and the copyleft clause ensures that the "right to fork" is meaningful in the present context.
Ramanraj K said on Fri, Feb 27, 2004 at 08:20:14PM +0530,:
I hate to butt into such a brilliant analysis; but this one needs some amplification.
One of the chief features of free software, is the "right to fork", and the copyleft clause ensures that the "right to fork" is meaningful in the present context.
Right to fork is a very important feature of free software, and `right to fork' is meaningful; and copyleft ensures it remains meaningful.
The GNU GPL and other strong copyleft licenses ensure that forks remain `free'. But the BSD license does not. People vouching for the BSD license do not want to ensure that forks remain free. For this part of the free software community, `freedom' means freedom to make non free forks of the software, and keep the users' dependent on the person who made the non-free forks. This approach is solely from programmer's viewpoint.
True GNUheads know that programmers too are users of software; and even a small compromise on principles will result in the proverbial `Arab and the camel' scenario. They know that merely `opening the source' will not protect the users' freedom. While proponents of the open source and/or BSD-ish philosophies have so many things to say about FSF, the FSF has (AFAIK - I am not officially a part of the FSF, except as a regular on the lists) nothing against these people.
We include people of all hues and colours, encourage them to realise the dangers they are facing, try to go along with them, correct, educate and guide them when necessary. Exclusion is not on the agenda of the true GNUhead.
Mahesh T. Pai wrote:
I hate to butt into such a brilliant analysis; but this one needs some amplification.
That almost sounded condescending!
The importance of `freedom' is well known. The minute we list the associated `rights' that follow from the `freedom', the practical value of the GNU GPL becomes apparent. The GNU GPL gives: Right to Copy Right to Distribute Right to Sell Right to Fork ... ... ... {many, many more rights} ... ... ... Right to Freedom
The right to fork coupled with the liberty to use one's intellect to improve upon the existing body of code is significant. An elaboration of the rights in detail, might also help in promoting better exercise of the freedom that the FSF stands for.
If you want to make buttons like the one I was wearing, the FSF can send you the image. Contact opus@gnu.org. We can also send the images for our stickers.
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Annamalai Gurusami -
Mahesh T. Pai -
Rajkumar S -
Ramanraj K -
Richard Stallman -
Rishi Gangoly