Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mstar!mstar.morningstar.com!bob From: bob@MorningStar.Com (Bob Sutterfield) Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss Subject: Re: Why I do not support GNU Message-ID: Date: 16 Oct 89 18:50:44 GMT References: <8910160520.AA01740@sugar-bombs.ai.mit.edu> Sender: @MorningStar.COM Reply-To: bob@MorningStar.Com (Bob Sutterfield) Distribution: gnu Organization: Morning Star Technologies Lines: 51 In-reply-to: sja@sirius.hut.fi's message of 16 Oct 89 10:59:38 GMT In article sja@sirius.hut.fi (Sakari Jalovaara) writes: A member of FSF comments in the newsgroup gnu.gcc: It is my firm intention to make [us(ing) fsf stuff without having to deal with fsf politics] as difficult as possible. The GNU project's purpose is politics. Note especially the purpose of the GNU project. What will he do to "FSF stuff" to force its users to deal with his politics? Probably copyright it, just like has already been done. Most software is not "fun hacks" like compilers and re-writes of "awk," but rather programs like accounting systems, factory stock accounting systems and control programs for VCRs. Without a development environment, authors of toaster oven microcode would be forced to resort to toggling front panel switches. Someone must provide that development environment. To them, a compiler isn't a "fun hack", but the purposed result of their labors. To others, a compiler is just another tool, like the plumbing or the public roads, that enables them to get their job done. Any sort of programming can be considered serious business, and fun can be derived from any sort as well. Are YOU going to write these programs if you don't get paid for them? I do lots of work that I don't get (monetarily) paid for, just because I believe deeply in the cause I'm working for. And surprisingly enough, some of it even involves computing, and some of it isn't even work on development environments. Just *what* are they going to do to my work to make it difficult for some people to use it? If you don't assign copyright, nobody but you can do anything to your work. I often heard people refer to "public domain GNU software" - even some that are actually contributing software to FSF. This makes me feel quite sad - FSF is getting support from people who don't know what they are really supporting. Yes, people should be more careful about what they say and do, to ensure that they're really doing and saying exactly what they mean. I have occasionally found myself inadvertently working at cross purposes to my intended goals, and have quickly moved to remedy that situation. People shouldn't buy, use, do, or support anything until they've read all the fine print. I'm glad you've read it closely enough to make your own decision. Lots of folks don't.