Path: utzoo!yunexus!geac!censor!isgtec!robert
From: robert@isgtec.UUCP (Robert Osborne)
Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss
Subject: Questions
Summary: Devil's Advocate
Message-ID: <115@isgtec.UUCP>
Date: 2 Aug 89 23:51:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: isgtec.115
Reply-To: robert@isgtec.UUCP (Robert Osborne)
Distribution: gnu
Organization: I.S.G. Technologies, Toronto, Ontario
Lines: 40

Some comments/questions:

1)   FSF does not have to worry about the "machine-readable" problem since
     if the program being distributed in punched_card|newsprint|$10000
     dollar CD|etc. is useful it only has to be "machine-read" once.
     Thereafter FSF or somebody equally philanthropic :-) can distribute
     in an "approved" format.  One does not have to get the source of the
     new programs from the developer.

2)   What if I think up some new, neat-o-keen, idea|algorithm (Fat Chance :-)
     *patent* it and then use BISON/G++ to implement it,  I then distribute
     my source.   Would not any future distribution of source be made
     illegal by my patent.  Or would I lose this patent (by my subsequent
     distribution of same source.).  Am I stupid/naive for asking
     this question?

3)   What ARE the *better* ways of making money from our software (assuming
     we don't sell it, but instead distribute it).

4)   I'm a software hoarder (oh no!) and I work for a company (see .sig)
     that provides hardware and software to create 3d images from CAT scans.
     (simplified version of what we do,  *I disclaim*).
     The development required from my department, has so far taken
     approximately 100 man months of effort.
     (This is only a small section of our company the whole effort is much
     larger)   The users of out product are radiologists and surgeons.
     Verrrry few of these people are computer literate,
     (with some exceptions), nor do they desire to become so.
     Where would hospitals (society) find 100+ man months of *volunteer*
     FSF type of help to create, support, maintain such a software
     project?   How does this kind of project fit into the FSF world
     view?

Rob.
(This posting DOES NOT reflect the views, opinions, or version of reality
 of my employers)
-- 
Robert Osborne                     ...uunet!mnetor!lsuc!isgtec!robert
                                          ...utzoo!lsuc!isgtec!robert
ISG Technologies Inc. 3030 Orlando Dr. Mississauga. Ont. Can. L4V 1S8