3 ms·

>> isn't the combined works and/or derivative works question a legal grey area? >We don't think so, but this case will let the court to decide that question.

>> isn't the combined works and/or derivative works question a legal grey area? >We don't think so, but this case will let the court to decide that question. I don't think a judge is able to decide it. A grey area cannot be black or white. -- 25 years ago I heard a RMS speak and it seems to me the whole freedom movement is unable to move and/or adapt. The same old (now) boring words again and again. And meanwhile we have App distribution models (iphone, google play, SaaS) which are much more closed/dangerous then waht we ever had. Abundant ad spamming and data grabbing. FSF did not help one yota and their extremism made them weak. GPLv3 divided instead of fortified. What shall I think of RSM which not even uses smartphones? How much more beside your shoes could you be today?

nske 12y ago
On one hand you agree with RMS on the existence of a problem (">> which are more closed/dangerous than what we ever had"), on the other hand you are criticising him for not doing enough things right or being detached from reality (well, I believe back in the 80s many people would think that the expectation of a license like GPL being as successful as it is today, would be detached from reality). The problem with this (correct me if I'm wrong) is that you neither seem to suggest an alternative course nor care to act yourself towards a solution. RMS, on the other hand, does and most would agree that his actions have yielded a net positive effect in today's ecosystem.
- autoreleasepool 12y ago
  By your logic, nobody is allowed to criticize RMS and his tactics unless they have a vested interest in providing an alternative to the GPL and FSF. However, I would argue that the failure of the FSF and RMS to adapt to the mobile and Internet centric world is a valid criticism in its own right; notwithstanding the personal achievements and plans for improving freedom of the person who wrote it. As a side note, the strength of the cult of personality around Richard is always striking to me. He gets away with doing and saying things that would seem absolutely insane if anyone else in the software community did them. For example, forgoes all normal Internet usage (instead he fetches html files to his email), no longer programs, doesn't own a cellphone, did not know that lldb was a debugger, etc... Yet, we are still supposed to beleive he is capable of producing modern and relevant solutions. I'm sorry, but Richard is out of touch. He is stuck in the past. His achievements should no doubt be honored, but someone else needs to take over.

nske 12y ago

On one hand you agree with RMS on the existence of a problem (">> which are more closed/dangerous than what we ever had"), on the other hand you are criticising him for not doing enough things right or being detached from reality (well, I believe back in the 80s many people would think that the expectation of a license like GPL being as successful as it is today, would be detached from reality). The problem with this (correct me if I'm wrong) is that you neither seem to suggest an alternative course nor care to act yourself towards a solution. RMS, on the other hand, does and most would agree that his actions have yielded a net positive effect in today's ecosystem.

autoreleasepool 12y ago
By your logic, nobody is allowed to criticize RMS and his tactics unless they have a vested interest in providing an alternative to the GPL and FSF. However, I would argue that the failure of the FSF and RMS to adapt to the mobile and Internet centric world is a valid criticism in its own right; notwithstanding the personal achievements and plans for improving freedom of the person who wrote it. As a side note, the strength of the cult of personality around Richard is always striking to me. He gets away with doing and saying things that would seem absolutely insane if anyone else in the software community did them. For example, forgoes all normal Internet usage (instead he fetches html files to his email), no longer programs, doesn't own a cellphone, did not know that lldb was a debugger, etc... Yet, we are still supposed to beleive he is capable of producing modern and relevant solutions. I'm sorry, but Richard is out of touch. He is stuck in the past. His achievements should no doubt be honored, but someone else needs to take over.