Re: Calling a program without knowing the parms

["Chris Rehm" <javadisciple@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> If I'm going to give you software for free, I'm not going to make money
> on it anyway.  Why should I spitefully restrict you from making money on
> it?  My main goal is to help people (and hopefully encourage them to
> help me in return).

That is the difference in philosophies between the two. GPL says, "I built
this to be free to anyone so if you are using it as a component in your code
you have to give it free too." and BSD is "I'm giving this away free but you
can charge." I'd think you'd want to cover your BSD license a bit with a
requirement for "substantial enhancement" before charging or something.

> In the AS/400 (iSeries) world, where EVERYTHING is based on business
> needs, the use of the GNU GPL could very well be a major reason not to
> use your software.

Well, certainly. But wouldn't there already be a major difference? I mean,
you want to use the GNU stuff if what you are doing is running on top of or
in concert with an existing GNU component. Then your customer is simply
required to have that component (which you can obtain/install for them as
part of your agreement). But if you want to modify an existing set of code
to provide a function within it, that's when you need to look at a different
license.

The GNU guys simply feel that if you want to change a couple of lines of
code within the zillions they've written, that doesn't give you the right to
sell their work as your product. That is how they license it.

> All I'm asking is that you weight the alternatives before jumping onto the
> GPL bandwagon...

That's a very good idea.

> See these links:
>
> http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/license-list.html
>
http://www.privacy.nb.ca/cryptography/archives/coderpunks/new/1998-10/0032.h
tml
> http://www.softpanorama.org/OSS/license_classification.shtml
>
http://interactive.wsj.com/fr/emailthis/retrieve.cgi?id=SB992819157437237260
.djm
>
> (sorry if any of those links wrap to the next line...  if they do, you'll
> have to cut & paste them to make them work)
>

Chris Rehm
javadisciple@earthlink.net
If you believe that the best technology wins the
marketplace, you haven't been paying attention.


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