Re: [aclug-L] Linux on store shelves

[John Goerzen <jgoerzen@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jonathan Hall <jonhall@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

> I dislike Caldera, too... but they're not in nearly the possition that RH
> is to become monopolistic, so they aren't as much a threat to Linux.
> 
> I suppose you could say I'm anti-"The commercialization of Linux".  If
> that means Red Hat, I'm anti-Red Hat.  If that means Caldera, it means I'm
> anti-Caldera.  

I don't understand, and I think it's because of vagueness.  What is
the problem with commercial interests in Linux?  Inherently, there is
none.  There are plenty of companies that are out there writing GPL
software.

The problem is *proprietary* software.  Software that does not come
with a Free Software license like the GPL or the others defined in the 
DFSG.  This software can come from individuals at home (eg, shareware) 
or from large corporations like Microsoft.

As I see it, *who* creates the software is irrelevant.  It's how they
license it that is relevant.  If they license it as GPL, what's the
problem?  So what if they make a buck off of their own GPL software?
It only seems fair.

I see proprietary software as a threat no matter where it comes from
-- from a kid down the block or from a large multinational
corporation.  Similarly, I see GPL as a win regardless of where it
comes from.  I'm not so sure how the origins like this are relevant.

John
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