[N3WBI3]

Long but interesting read

[N3WBI3]

OSS PING

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[TChris]

One must share computer programs.

It's the little word "must" in that sentence that hangs up in my throat.

Within the concept of "sharing" it is implied that such sharing is voluntary. Involuntary "sharing" is theft or robbery. To be consistent with that implication, Stallman should have said, "One should share computer programs." Had he done so, I might agree wholeheartedly. As it is, though, the "must" is a deal-breaker to me.

I love the concept of F/OSS, with the absolute requirement that such sharing be voluntary and intentional. I simultaneously reject the idea that closed-source software is inherently eeeeeeeviiiiil.

Voluntarily giving of one's time and talents to make the computing world a better place is one thing; holding to the article of faith that proprietary, for-profit work is somehow morally wrong is an entirely different matter.

[Golden Eagle]

Thanks for posting this stuff, so more people will learn about Stallman, and his “Golden Rule” that everyone must donate their software to society for free. Guy even calls himself a “Saint”, apparently some actually believe.