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Religions and examplesReligions and examplesPosted Jan 31, 2003 23:29 UTC (Fri) by Max.Hyre (subscriber, #1054)In reply to: Backstabbing. Perens (LinuxWorld) by ncm Parent article: Larry McVoy on BitKeeper, kernel development, Linus Torvalds and Bruce Perens (LinuxWorld) Like the rest of us, Larry has benefitted overwhelmingly by the generosity of others in the Free Software movement. Like the rest of us, he has been given so much that there is no possibility of his ever giving back anything close to what he has received. Dear me---does this mean everyone who uses Free Software code is obligated to GPL all her own code? Sounds awfully close to virality to me. RMS & al. wrote the GPL to, among a number of other things, avoid precisely this claim---you can do any damn' thing you want with the code, down to and including modelling fission in Iraq. To GPL something is to recognize that there will be those (like me)-: who take without giving, but to give anyway, perhaps to lead those others by example. Any other stance is the first step toward the extremely slippery slope of thousand-line licenses naming the people and purposes who are restricted from using the software. Let Mr. McVoy do his thing, and you do yours, without mud-slinging. As Mr. Swanson hints at above, this is a religious matter, and your taste should have nothing to do with anyone else's actions. Instead, let everyone be gladdened by the spirit of friendship embodied in the GPL, and inspired to add her bit to the amazing stew of Free Software. Now back to the piece I hope to toss in.... Best wishes,Max Hyre
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