[linux-audio-user] Re: distorting Linuxsampler

[Nick Copeland]

I have worked for diverse unix and networking companies for about 20 years 
now, I know that sounds like I am going to give an OldHat comment, but the 
reputation of what is now GPL software has changed dramatically.

I first worked with the 0.99 Linux kernel, and, at the time, people in the 
industry had the opinion that Public Domain (GPL/Whatever) software was 
buggy, rather full of holes and not really ready for commercial or 
professional use. If you speak to the same people now that has totally 
changed, public domain software is respected far ahead of most commercially 
available applications, whether that is in audio, security, web services, 
etc. The feeling that software development companies have a single goal 
which is to make money is widely understood, whilst that open source 
developers want products that work and fit requirements has only now become 
respected. I actually deal with multibillion dollar companies who want and 
prefer open source applications, the whole community of developers make sure 
that these applications do what they say on the tin.

This leaves a big hole in the GPL, since software developers are now making 
products that the industry wants, and making it available for free. A lot of 
people are using this to their advantage, taking 'public domain' software 
private, making money, and not re-releasing their improvements back to the 
community.

What I want to say is the migration of Linux Sampler from GPL to any other 
form of license is just a recognition of a massive shift in the market, and 
perhaps something that GPL needs to come to terms with.

>From: Lee Revell <rlrevell at joe-job.com>
>Reply-To: A list for linux audio users 
><linux-audio-user at music.columbia.edu>
>To: A list for linux audio users <linux-audio-user at music.columbia.edu>
>Subject: Re: [linux-audio-user] Re: distorting Linuxsampler
>Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 15:33:40 -0400
>
>On Wed, 2006-04-19 at 22:00 +0300, Juhana Sadeharju wrote:
> > I'm now more worried about the mental state of LS developers
> > because they are aware of the feedback given by Debian people.
> >
> > It is unbelievable that a free, open source software gets kicked
> > out off Debian. Making harm to thousands of free software friends
> > because of only a few commercial audio developers. It does not make
> > sense.
>
>Why?  It's their software, they can choose any license they want.  They
>just don't want to be ripped off by someone commercializing their
>software and not paying them.
>
>Lee
>

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