The free software movement forked in 1998 with the open source initiative labelling free
software as "open source". We have seen why "open source" is
superficial and why it cannot distinguish itself from proprietary software. If the OSI
forks again, and continues its "open source" line for businesses, but joins the
main stream "free software" movement in actions connected with the law, it would
be in the best interests of both the movements and the community. Hence I sent a mail to
Mr. Eric Raymond of the OSI. But my mail was rejected as follows:
Your message cannot be delivered to the following
recipients:
Recipient address: esr(a)thyrsus.com
Reason: Server rejected MAIL FROM address.
Diagnostic code: smtp;550 5.0.0 <ramanraj(a)md4.vsnl.net.in>in>... net.in blocked"
Then I sent the contents to osi(a)opensource.org, and the replies revealed that they have
also blocked reasoning, which is far worse.
Mr. Russell Nelson of the OSI fairly wrote:
Please accept that we'll call it open source, and
you'll call it free
software, and that we both mean the same thing.
This however missed the concern how the law should call it. Therefore, I replied inviting
the attention of Mr. Russell Nelson to this specific issue, which was replied as follows:
Microsoft gives away free software.
... "free software" is inherently confusing. Why do you think
RMS always has to give his free speech/beer footnote? Why do you
think proprietary software companies give away free software? Because
they're our friends? I don't think so.
The solution to all of this nonsense is to establish a certification
mark, which is what we've done.
I don't want to continue this discussion.
A "certification mark" assumes discerning users, who might very well distinguish
directly between "free software" and "proprietary software", without
the aid of a third party certification. Law and software thrive upon building through
reasoning, with an open mind, anticipating future scrutiny.
Since Mr. Russell Nelson closed the discussion, we are free to ignore the fork that would
meet its nemesis on its own.
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