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This entire comment thread is missing the point. By releasing this library at no charge, the author is valuing his software at zero dollars. Downstream users a
by antiloper 3y ago
This entire comment thread is missing the point.
By releasing this library at no charge, the author is valuing his software at zero dollars. Downstream users accept his offer.
There is no story here.
- isaacfrond 3y agoExactly, my point.
- jgeada 3y agoTragedy of the commons. There is no stigma to being a parasite so that’s what people do, with justifications as above. Just because it isn’t legally required doesn’t mean it is ethical to not do it.
- antiloper 3y agoIt's not being a parasite if the author willingly chooses to give his work away for free. It is also not the tragedy of the commons, since the tragedy of the commons refers to consuming a finite resource. A software library is not a finite resource since it can be copied indefinitely. This is the author choosing to work for free (which is fine), wanting to get paid (which is fine, and I do suggest he does charge for his software), and this thread making up an alleged ethical obligation to pay for something which has a price tag of zero.
- sangnoir 3y agoDung[1] beetles are not parasites - they simply take what is given freely, and without cost or injury to the producer. If an animal attempted to get beetles to pay for dung, it may run into competitive challenges. 1. Not a commentary on the quality if F/OSS, which I love.
- jancsika 3y ago> There is no story here. If funding suddenly materializes for this developer as a result of this email, will you search for a bug in your worldview?