Re: [LI] Re: DVD-ROM on Linux?

[Manoj Victor Mathew <manoj_vm@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, Dec 19, 1999 at 11:22:33AM -0800, Arun Sharma wrote:
> The technology is controlled by the movie
> and the media industry. Their livelihood depends on being able to sell
> content in a controlled way - very similar to the way Bill Gates sells
> software for money

Well it is like saying "Bidis should not be banned because many
bidi makers, make a livelihood out of it." 

Have you read through the EULA in Win95? Is it not a bag of
restrictions? Are they not dictating what I am supposed to do with my
hardware? How can I trust my hardware to them?

> - also something that is opposed tooth and nail by the GNU project.

That is exactly why I like the GNU project. It ensures freedom.


> (b) Stop calling LGPL lesser GPL and stop asking library authors to
>     GPL their libraries to prevent commercial software from being 
>     ported to Linux. Even LGPL has elements which prevent commercial
>     software from using the libraries in question - but it is far more
>     benign compared to GPL.
> 

If I do not encourage the use of GPL, then who will? Who will bring
about the GNU revolution? Each and every one us have that
responsibility. LGPL was renamed Lesser GPL, because when LGPL stood
for Library GPL, many started using LGPL for all their libraries. This
is not what LGPL was initially meant to be. LGPL was created as a
inferior form of GPL license. But it was named Library GPL because
LGPL was suited best for licensing libraries.

LGPL is there because it can hasten the GNU revolution. IMHO there
will be no LGPL in future, because all software will be GPLed.


> (c) Give up on the *all* software should be free ideology.   
> 

Never! That's what GNU revolution is all about. Unless all software is
'free software', GPL software authors cannot survive. On the other
hand, if all software is 'free software' everybody can survive.


> (d) A common minimum subset that can be called "Linux" - so that 
>     the commercial software authors can maintain their sanity. This
>     is being attempted by the LSB project.
> 

In future software authors will be very much sane, developing 'free
software' in a world where all software is 'free software'.


> I sincerely hope, the saner heads will prevail in the end.

Yes, that is definite!


> Otherwise, you end up having to pay the "Linux penalty" - sort of
> punishment for having chosen to run Linux -  Winmodems

Speaking about Winmodems, all these problems would not have existed if
Winmodems followed concepts that make up the 'free software' concept.

PS. Followups should go to LIG.
-- 
Do you support 'free software'?  Visit http://mvm.linuxbox.com

Manoj Victor Mathew  (GPG#: 3D96A9B9)
Cochin, India.
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