2 ms·
Perhaps I’m being a stickler for language, but I don’t consider it “free for open source projects” if I have to contact them to get permission to use it in an o
by reikonomusha 7y ago
Perhaps I’m being a stickler for language, but I don’t consider it “free for open source projects” if I have to contact them to get permission to use it in an open source project. My beef is that the word “free” is being thrown around in this article. They should say something more true, like “we provide this engine for experimental personal use at no charge, and if you want to use it for something serious (open source, your company, etc.) contact us for a license.”
- Crinus 7y agoFree means no charge for the vast majority of people who can understand English.
- reikonomusha 7y ago“Free” also carries meaning outside of the commercial context and specifically in the context of software to English-speaking software developers. If I heard someone talking about software—especially developer software—being free, I personally would assume they mean “libre”, not “gratis”. But I can understand if that’s not universal.
- ClassyJacket 7y ago"I personally would assume they mean “libre”, not “gratis”." I don't even know what either of those mean and I've been coding and on HN for years. I'm not even sure how to pronounce the first one. In Australia at least, 'free' means it doesn't cost money.
- commoner 7y agoFree has two standard meanings that are used commonly, "free of charge" (gratis) and "free from restriction" (libre): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratis_versus_libre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratis_versus_libre Gratis: "Buy one, get one free." Libre: "You are free to leave."
- dmitriid 7y agoA stickler for language should know that free is ambiguous in English, and their use of ”free” as ”zero cost” is correct. Gratis vs. libre and all that.
- aflag 7y agoCorrect, but misleading in the context.