Xref: utzoo alt.security:1368 alt.folklore.computers:4689 comp.society.futures:1986 Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wang!comm.wang.com!lws From: lws@comm.wang.com (Lyle Seaman) Newsgroups: alt.security,alt.folklore.computers,comp.society.futures Subject: Re: Feedback on Computer Crime Message-ID: <1990Aug13.183623.25045@comm.wang.com> Date: 13 Aug 90 18:36:23 GMT References: <14443@wpi.wpi.edu> <9008081452.AA18175@stc06.CTD.ORNL.GOV> <5=25C=1@xds13.ferranti.com> <1990Aug10.035033.2122@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> Organization: Wang Labs, Platform Comms. Lines: 41 peter@ficc.ferranti.com (Peter da Silva) writes: >In article <1990Aug10.035033.2122@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> gsh7w@astsun.astro.Virginia.EDU (Greg S. Hennessy) writes: >> [ stuff deleted ] >They [ NeXT ] use separate, individual GNU programs. That's a small subset of >possible ways someone can use my code. They can use it as a library routine, >for example (in fact, that's how they're using it). With GNU code if you >can't somehow package it into a separate executable you lose. Well, not exactly. If you can't package it into a separate executable, you have to distribute your additions to the whole world. Not exactly the same as saying that you can't do it, only that you have to share. More like, "if you want to use what we give you, you've got to give us what you've done, and let us do with it as we wish." >> I agree that there are people who need turnkey systems, but I don't >> see why they *need* a shrink-wrapped system. Also, you are prefectly >> allowed to charge for GNU products, you just can't restrict >> distribution of the sources. No, you're not allowed to charge for GNU products. You're only allowed to charge a "reasonable" distribution fee, to compensate you for your costs in getting it to the user. >People need to be able to go into a computer store, put down money, and >take a box home that they are reasonably assured of being able to load and >run first time. That takes a lot of effort to produce from the typical >component-stereo sort of freeware. Why go to that effort if someone can just >take the sources, type "make", repackage it, and undercut you? Well, if someone is undercutting you by using cheaper components, but offer the same quality product, join 'em! If they can undercut you even though you're both using the same components, well, that's what capitalism is all about. -- Lyle Wang lws@comm.wang.com 508 967 2322 Lowell, MA, USA uunet!comm.wang.com!lws