[ILUG] games.linux.ie

[John P . Looney]

On Sat, Feb 24, 2001 at 01:22:12AM +0000, Paul J Collins mentioned:
> I'm not talking about *commercial* software, I am talking about
> *proprietary* software.  I am perfectly happy for companies to package
> and sell free software.  Some people like the feel of a box, and the
> new smell of the manuals and CD envelopes.  They like the couple of
> month's support, and the fact that the money they paid for their free
> software is going to help the free software community by fnding more
> free software.

 But not enough of them to fund companies to do so. RedHat can't make
money off selling boxes & manuals. In fact, as of next year, I'd say less
than 2% of their effort will be manuals and boxes.

 Would you buy Evian bottle water, at 70p a shot, if tap water was as good
? Of course not.

> I don't expect them to.  But they need not expect me to give them
> money for proprietary software anytime soon.  There will always be
> different lines of business for people to make cash at.  If the whole
> market for proprietary software disappeared tomorrow, no-one would
> starve.

 No one would starve if all free software disappeared either.

 I have no doubt that if the governments of this world made it illegal to
sell or give software without also giving the code, that this would be a
better place.

 However, the governments don't think so, nor do those companies currently
selling proprietary software. Yes, we can try and change their opinions on
the matter, but not by going hippy.

Kate

-- 
 When I say 'free', I mean 'free': free from bond, of chain or command: 
to go where you will, even to Mordor, Saruman, if you desire. " 
    -- Gandalf, paraphrasing the choice between Free and Non-free software