> > No BSD code can compete with Proprietary code based on BSD code. > > > > As it is BSD and then some. And therefore better. In reality this does not > > playout that well (due to maintenance, integration and other biz./reality > > costs) But once you have to explain that - you've lost the oneline > > argument/debate. And the above sticks terribly well with people who are > > not that familiar with actual software engineering processes. > > > True. But still a wrong oneliner. We can debunk it with another > oneliner/simplification: > > Is Netscape 7 more popular than Mozilla? > > I don't think so. Most of the times, community evolution will prevent > Propietary+BSD/Apache/Mozilla code keeping pace. There are windows of > opportunity, but they close fast.
Or 'Should I get this motercycle from the shop on the corner (for free) or I should buy this motercycle from the guy in the garage next door.' Lets buy it from the guy next door - because he has 'modified' it so it must be better. Honest gov. > Much like when a Spanish writer in last century could read English and > imitated the works of a true original English novelist (or the other way > round, no cultural preference expressed). It is matter of time and > communication until people notices something going wrong and go for the > original. And we are getting plenty of communication those days :-) > Still, translation of works does add value (I mean here for software > vertical markets or different environments), as do illustrated editions, > commented works, etc. for literary works. > For all these kinds of "mob/darwinistic software"[1], GPL licenses get > on the way, forcing you to think and take care about how the software > could be used in the future, while Apache, BSD or Artistic licenses make > the hacker-painter-writer[2] wholy free (not like in free beer, but like > in free thinking). ;-) Right - but at the same time; the analogy with a writer makes me think of a carpenter; should the nail he hammers in at your house be 'owned' by him from there on. Should I just license his service and that thing he did. Just because software is easier to replicate than a nail hammer in does not make it that special as to warrant special rules for 'my baby, my precious'. Especially if the carpenter/programmer can turn out another utility just like the previous one by writing it again. Dw --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]