22 Jun
2003
22 Jun
'03
5:06 a.m.
Ivica Bukvic wrote:
Thanks! This really helped me see straight again :-).
However this brings up one interesting point/problem. Due to GPL nature
of Linux software, many of our efforts will seamlessly bleed into OS X
world since there are no restrictions as to which platform this software
is run on, and Apple made an explicit move to target open-source
developers and/or users by implementing Darwin and underlying
almost-Unix system.
To me this is a problem. Since, all our efforts and time will not lure
more people to Linux. Rather, our software will (perhaps) become popular
(pro-tools killer or whatever), but not necessarily on a Linux platform.
In the end, we will not reap what we have sown. Users on the OS X will
be theoretically able to run Ardour as much as we will, especially now
that jackd has been ported to OS X. To me, this does not seem right.
I would hence like to propose a new idea and you guys tell me what you
think:
Perhaps we should make a mended version of GPL that would have exact
permissions like the original GPL license, but in addition would ask
that the software cannot be run on top of proprietary OS. This way, we
can make our software indigenous only to free/oss OS's and hence create
unique benefits that come from using Linux (and other open-sourced OS's,
obviously). Now, if we did this, then Linux in the long run would have a
definite advantage. As it stands now, it is only a matter of time before
all of the good linux audio software gets ported to (or ever worse,
becomes fully compatible with) OS X and other proprietary OS's and then
we end up putting all this effort into a community that in the end might
not grow at all, while offering benefits to those who did not chip in
any effort into the movement, nor do they understand the meaning behind
it. This certainly could pose problems for anyone who plans to make a
living in any shape or form associated with Linux and GPL'ed audio
software (Paul?).
What do you think?
i don't like this idea.
free with strings attached is not free.
* it's against the spririt of the GPL.
i remember somebody cooking up a licence that basically allowed
everything except for military use. my first thought was, cool, give
those rambo guys the finger (even if it won't make a difference). but
after a while, i fould that even though personally i despise each and
every military operation that has happened over the last 15 years, i
might not always be right, and i might not always be able to check the
facts. so how can i forbid something i don't know enough about ?
(as a more pragmatic point, it makes using the code horribly complicated
and you won't get your stuff into debian :)
* if linux can't make it on its own, then let it DIE DIE DIE.
we are doing very good. linux is powerful, and it's enormous fun. linux
audio is progressing at a pace to make you dizzy. "success" in free
software is not mesaured in terms of "market penetration". if it's good
and fun in a niche, so be it, if it's going to be world domination, fine
too :)
your proposal seems to me to be a "vendor lock-in" scheme for free
systems. if linux can't beat os x, if os x can do everything linux can
and better, then either linux must improve or die. (for those who don't
care whether their os is free software - those who do will stick with
linux or xBSD anyway, so what's the point.)
of course i see your intention to give linux audio more momentum for the
benefit of all the users, but i think your proposal is not a good idea.
not to mention license fiddling is a can of worms that is very likely to
fragment the community.
however strange and thick-headed the guy may be, there certainly is some
wisdom in RMS and the GPL behind all the stubbornness. it's good they're
there, and it's good you can trust the kids out there to cry treason and
treachery whenever someone comes up with some new scheme of freedom :)
best,
jörn
--
All Members shall refrain in their international relations from
the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or
political independence of any state, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
-- Charter of the United Nations, Article 2.4
Jörn Nettingsmeier
Kurfürstenstr 49, 45138 Essen, Germany
http://spunk.dnsalias.org (my server)
http://www.linuxdj.com/audio/lad/ (Linux Audio Developers)