4 ms·

I really do value individual freedom. If I have access to some data, I want the freedom to share it. If I have some data, I want the freedom to not share it a

by nfoz 12y ago

I really do value individual freedom. If I have access to some data, I want the freedom to share it. If I have some data, I want the freedom to not share it as well. "You must share the software" is not the world I want. Legal requirements to share, would actually make it a burden to provide anything: If I give my friend this disk, am I legally required to give them something else along with the disk? If my computer is accessible on a network, do I have a legal obligation to make any source code that is accessible also available? What are the rules about that? I think it's too messy. And honestly, if a kid writes a game, maybe they're embarassed about the source code... the law shouldn't require them to share that with their friends/teachers/etc. Although there might be merit to regulations on industry / corporate actions, especially in so far as their works affect the public (voting machines, safety equipment: software that we might want to require keeps its source-code alongside binary distributions). I'm much more comfortable with people keeping data to themselves in a world where they have less legal ability to prevent others from sharing it.

dTal 12y ago
These are non-issues. The idea is not "share all data". If we copy the GPL model, all you need to share is the source code to any program you distribute in an uneditable form, and then only when someone asks for it (at which point you may charge a reasonable processing fee for the trouble). It's really not that onerous. No one is making you share your private software. For "software" replace "food" and for "source code" replace "ingredients". You can cook whatever you want at home, but when you start selling food to people certain responsibilities kick in. If a kid is selling lemonade but is too embarrassed to tell you what's in it, would you drink it?

by nfoz 12y ago

dTal 12y ago

These are non-issues. The idea is not "share all data". If we copy the GPL model, all you need to share is the source code to any program you distribute in an uneditable form, and then only when someone asks for it (at which point you may charge a reasonable processing fee for the trouble). It's really not that onerous. No one is making you share your private software. For "software" replace "food" and for "source code" replace "ingredients". You can cook whatever you want at home, but when you start selling food to people certain responsibilities kick in. If a kid is selling lemonade but is too embarrassed to tell you what's in it, would you drink it?