I think the OP's point was that open source should mean:

Free to modify
Free to contribute code
Free to use.

Leaving the first two but taking away the "free to use" really takes the F out 
of FOSS.  There have been other posts discussing Digium's license requirements, 
code ownership, etc.  I think it's a fair and valid discussion (no need for a 
"love it all or leave it" attitude).

Digium risks following the same path as Oracle with their Java product.  Java 
was THE open standard for programming for a long time, but this status is in 
jeopardy as they clarify their license expectations.  I don't think Digium is 
at risk of a major backlash tomorrow, but it's a fine line to walk and easy to 
fall.


________________________________________
From: asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com 
[asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of ERIC HERRON 
[e...@lanline.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 1:17 PM
To: Asterisk Users List
Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] receive faxes

Awsome +1

From: asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com 
[mailto:asterisk-users-boun...@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Warren Selby
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 12:06 PM
To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] receive faxes

On Wed, May 4, 2011 at 9:01 AM, vip killa 
<vipki...@gmail.com<mailto:vipki...@gmail.com>> wrote:
screw that.... i just got hylafax to work with IAXMODEM...i refuse to pay 
digium a dime... supposed to be open-source right?

I don't believe you really understand what Open Source means...it does not mean 
"FREE".  It means that the source is open, not proprietary, and anyone can 
download it and compile it and modify it and do what they want with it.  Which 
is something your company has obviously already done - they've downloaded it, 
compiled it, and are using it in some capacity to make money (or are using it 
in support of the process of making money).  Otherwise how would you get paid?  
Digium is the same - they are a company that makes money so they can pay their 
employees who contribute to making Asterisk a better product.  Imagine if 
Digium made no money, because they just did everything for free (support, 
modules, etc).  How long do you think they'd last?  How long do you think their 
employees would continue to come into work and contribute to the Asterisk 
project when they have no salary?  Not very.

If you think asterisk is such a horrible project, and that Digium is so evil, 
why not find a better alternative, pitch it to your managers, and convince them 
that your solution is better in the long run.  If you can't do that, maybe find 
someone that understands asterisk a little better and bring them in to help 
support your system, leaving you free to not have to deal with something you 
despise so much.

--
Thanks,
--Warren Selby, dCAP
http://www.selbytech.com

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