[LAU] Linux audio course Rotterdam

[drew Roberts]

On Friday 12 September 2008 15:14:03 Bob van der Poel wrote:
> On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 06:50:42PM +0200, Grammostola Rosea wrote:
> >>> When you give a course it cost you: time, traveling costs
> >>> (Brussels > R'dam) organization, making a course book (and copy it?)
> >>> and linux audio usage, educational and presentation skills.... that
> >>> could deserve some money....
> >>
> >> I agree. OTOH, one reason why the course is given in
> >> English in the centre of the Dutch/Flemish language
> >> region may be that a lot of the course material is
> >> just copied from material available on the web.
> >> In that case I just hope that Mr. Moors has all
> >> the copyright issues sorted out.
>
> Really, what is the problem here?
>
> If you think the course is too expensive ... don't go.
>
> If you can do better ... offer your own course.
>
> If you want to teach for free then do so; if you want to get paid, then
> charge.
>
> If you don't want your stuff copied off the web and used in a commercial
> manner: don't post or affix a "not for commercial use" copyright. BTW,
> the GNU licence doesn't support this so you'll have to use a different
> one (correct me if I'm wrong).
>
> Isn't the whole point of freedom the ability to do what you want to do?
>
> I have donated a lot of software over the years ... and I've sold stuff
> as well. But, one thing I will not do anymore is to play for free. Too
> many times I've done just that for some good cause which doesn't have
> any budget this year ... and then next year, when they do have some
> money, they hire and pay someone from out-of-town. I'm sure the same
> applies to teaching.

We all likely tend to develop our own rules of thumb over the years. I try not 
do do any windows tech support gratis for friends and family anymore. I have 
moved away from windows to avoid those problems and paid the price in various 
ways to do so. I don't see why I should pay for them not doing so.
>
> Please don't confuse freedom and free beer!

Indeed. Also, look at the speaking fees famous people get. I am sure a part of 
the fee goes to being able to say you rubbed shoulders with that famous 
person as opposed to the content of the speech you heard.

And as someone has already pointed out in another way, if this course is 
successful, everyone now has a model to follow should they wish to do so.

Re playing for free for charities and the like. Perhaps do so with a bill that 
comes due should they pay another act in the future? (If you value the 
charity that is.)

all the best,

drew