[rzeznikj at stout]

OK. What if IBM sold these components to a Russian firm for a tidy fee? How would such a transaction magically become acceptable solely by selling the code rather than releasing it as open-source?

Would it make a lickin' difference? Absolutely not--that is, except in your eyes.

Would there be any direct harm to the American economy? Probably not--and if there's any harm, lay it down on the table right here.

[Golden Eagle]

acceptable solely by selling the code rather than releasing it as open-source? Would it make a lickin' difference?

Obviously, it would. Are you recommeding people give their houses away, or would they do better by selling them? Or are you seriously claiming there is no difference between the two? Can I have your house then, or whatever you might actually own?

[HiTech RedNeck]

If IBM has truly open sourced this stuff, then anybody can use it, including right back home in the USA. This truly is a tide that cannot help but lift all boats.