-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Fred> On Wed, 30 Jul 2003, Mandar wrote: Fred> Hi Mandar, Fred> Thanks for your query. Fred> Even among some who have been in the group for long, there Fred> has been some confusion over what Free Software stands for. Fred> What does the term 'free' really mean in this context? Fred> Free-of-cost or freedom? Gratis or libre? Fred> Just for debate's sake: Fred> If you wrote a program using GPL'd code, would it be alright to: Fred> (i) sell it for a price? Yes. Fred> (ii) block anyone else from copying it? Yes and no. You can refuse to give out the code of your program to all and sundry. However you cannot refuse to give the source code to people to whom you have given the binaries (executables). Those who have got the source from you are then free to redistribute the source and the binaries, while you continue selling your program. Fred> (iii) charge per-user licence fees? Yes. But I doubt if anyone would pay those fees :) Fred> (iv) sell or share it without the source code? No. That is the one thing the GPL doesn't permit you to do. Fred> (v) improve it, sell it commercially, but hide the source Fred> code you've written? No. Fred> Also, to take the debate further -- what's the difference Fred> between Free Software and Open Source? Is there some Fred> difference in the licence(s)? Is there some difference in Fred> the approach and motivations guiding either of these Fred> movements, or is it just a different name for the same Fred> thing? In one sentence: Free software is about ethical reasons for using open source. Open source is about technological reasons for using free software. OK, that's two sentences, but WTH, my higher math was always lousy :) Fred> Finally, do you think the GPL is a good licence for (i) Fred> individuals (ii) small firms (iii) corporations (iv) all of Fred> these (v) none of these? What are the advantages and/or Fred> disadvantages of the GPL as compared to the Open Source Fred> licences or other model licences? What could be the possible Fred> reasons for the popularity of the GPL among developers till Fred> date, if you perceive one? Since you're asking for opinions, I would answer questions (i) to (iv) above with `Yes' and (v) with `No'. Other peoples' perception may vary, but they're jerks and I wouldn't pay them any attention. <g,d&r> Fred> Hope you don't mind me 'answering' your questions with Fred> further questions! But I thought this could throw up some Fred> interesting debate, and also clarify issues. Others are Fred> welcome to participate... FN Regards, - -- Raju - -- Raj Mathur raju(a)kandalaya.org http://kandalaya.org/ GPG: 78D4 FC67 367F 40E2 0DD5 0FEF C968 D0EF CC68 D17F It is the mind that moves