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From: bstempleton@watmath.UUCP (Brad Templeton)
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards
Subject: GNU considered harmful to software quality
Message-ID: <5919@watmath.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Oct-83 02:27:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: watmath.5919
Posted: Fri Oct  7 02:27:48 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Oct-83 09:17:45 EDT
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 71

A recent proposal by RMS@MIT-OZ suggests a public domain Unix type
operating system.  This idea could be the most dangerous thing to
the world of software, and could result in tremendous setbacks in
the advancement of software quality.  The most dangerous element is
contained in this quote, which I feel is not out of context.

	  "Without a proprietary operating system,
	   how can my company get a competitive edge?"
	
	GNU will remove operating system software from the realm of
	competition.  You will not be able to get an edge in this area, but
	neither will your competitors be able to get an edge over you.  You
	and they will compete in other areas, while benefitting mutually in
	this one.  If your business is selling an operating system, you will
	not like GNU, but that's tough on you.  If your business is something
	else, GNU can save you from being pushed into the expensive business
	of selling operating systems.
	
	It is because of the aspect of mutual benefit that I am asking many
	manufacturers to donate, reducing the cost to each.
	
Scenario:  GNU has attained success, and is now widely used all over
the place.  Free operating system for everybody.

Programmer: "I have this great idea for a really wondeful operating system.
It's much better than GNU." (Let's assume he speaks the truth)

Other: But everybody can get GNU for free.  Nobody would be willing to pay
for it.

Programmer:  But it really is that much better - hey, venture capitalist,
what do you think?

Venture-Capitalist:  Looks really good, but that market is too tough. Even
a really good product can't compete with something free.  Sure we would sell
some, but not nearly as many as we would if there were a real competitive
market.  You would be much better off working on something else.

Programmer: But I want to do this!

Other: Why not do it for free then, like GNU?

Programmer:  What would I eat?  Besides, I really believe that's right.
But I'll try.  Rich-man, can you fund me while I do this free project?

Rich-man: Seems nice, but what's the point.  We already have GNU.  People
are satisfied with it.
---------------------

And so, nothing new ever comes along, unless there is a really big jump
or another group of "software socialists" better at design than the first.

This is NOT idle speculation.  It is from bitter experience.  I make most
of my money from a set of programmer's utilities for Commodore machines.
There is a similar product in the public domain.  It is not as good, and
arrived after, but it hurts my income a lot.  So much so that I have
seriously considered abandoning the whole market and doing something else.

One free medium quality program (and I am not saying GNU will be thus, simply
that if the state of the art advances, it will become thus) ruins the chances
of several high quality programs.  I ask all people interested in GNU
to consider this, and to question if they wish to risk destroying the work
of everybody else working in operating systems.


	GNU will remove operating system software from the realm of
	competition.

Is this what we really want?????????????
-- 
	Brad Templeton - Waterloo, Ont. (519) 886-7304