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I think a core issue here is that despite being a buzzword, 'free' just isn't all that meaningful or important to most developers, especially since the freedom

by nxc18 10y ago

I think a core issue here is that despite being a buzzword, 'free' just isn't all that meaningful or important to most developers, especially since the freedom that is granted to end users is explicitly not given to creators (see GPL). Open source however, especially with something like the MIT license, at the very least gives you access to read and hack at cool source. F is not the meaningful part of FOSS unless you happen to be a lawyer or really enjoy lawyering.

peller 10y ago
It's true that the definition of "free" is somewhat overloaded, and means different things to different people. But to say it's not all that meaningful or important is, I think, going way too far. As for your point about creators' freedom with copyleft, that limitation is explicitly to ensure that end users' freedom remains unrestricted. And, by logical extension, that creators are not exploitive of the original authors' efforts. Think of it as "locked open." So yes, it may be less "free" in the strictest sense of "do whatever you want free" - but we as a society have clearly decided that level of freedom is unacceptable (see eg, murder, slavery). GPL has simply chosen to draw the line closer to rights for the people than rights for the ruling class (ie, end users vs corporations, respectively).
mschaef 10y ago
> F is not the meaningful part of FOSS unless you happen to be a lawyer or really enjoy lawyering. I'd be careful about diminishing the importance of government and legal processes with respect to software (or anything else). It may not be as interesting to some as the technical aspects of software construction, but it absolutely has an impact on what software gets developed and how it's used. A lack of interest in this fact does not insulate you from its effects.
type0 10y ago
Freedom isn't free! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzW2ybYFboQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzW2ybYFboQ

by nxc18 10y ago

peller 10y ago

It's true that the definition of "free" is somewhat overloaded, and means different things to different people. But to say it's not all that meaningful or important is, I think, going way too far. As for your point about creators' freedom with copyleft, that limitation is explicitly to ensure that end users' freedom remains unrestricted. And, by logical extension, that creators are not exploitive of the original authors' efforts. Think of it as "locked open." So yes, it may be less "free" in the strictest sense of "do whatever you want free" - but we as a society have clearly decided that level of freedom is unacceptable (see eg, murder, slavery). GPL has simply chosen to draw the line closer to rights for the people than rights for the ruling class (ie, end users vs corporations, respectively).

mschaef 10y ago

> F is not the meaningful part of FOSS unless you happen to be a lawyer or really enjoy lawyering. I'd be careful about diminishing the importance of government and legal processes with respect to software (or anything else). It may not be as interesting to some as the technical aspects of software construction, but it absolutely has an impact on what software gets developed and how it's used. A lack of interest in this fact does not insulate you from its effects.

type0 10y ago

Freedom isn't free! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzW2ybYFboQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzW2ybYFboQ