Comments on: Note To Self 23: Free vs. “Free” http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/ This is the only way I can get these thoughts out of my head. Thu, 15 May 2008 21:47:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Nitefly http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-369 Nitefly Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:21:07 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-369 Does it really matter whether some people download games and such? The PC Game industry has a yearly revenue counted in billions of dollars. The problem with Free Software at least when viewed with consumer protection and satisfaction in mind is that in many countries companies supplying free stuff is not liable for any repairs needed or faults in their products. By paying for the product and receiving a legit license code, you have "proof of purchase" which is the entry point for all legislation concerning consumer protection. And furthermore, revenue based on the success of your product is a measuring point used by a lot of companies when they decide what infrastructure to build and maintain in their company setup. For them support, maintenance, and a legally responsible party with an inclination to stay in the market is a strong argument. People who can just close up shop and leave you hanging is not considered a viable solution by a lot of professionals. Does it really matter whether some people download games and such? The PC Game industry has a yearly revenue counted in billions of dollars.

The problem with Free Software at least when viewed with consumer protection and satisfaction in mind is that in many countries companies supplying free stuff is not liable for any repairs needed or faults in their products. By paying for the product and receiving a legit license code, you have “proof of purchase” which is the entry point for all legislation concerning consumer protection.

And furthermore, revenue based on the success of your product is a measuring point used by a lot of companies when they decide what infrastructure to build and maintain in their company setup. For them support, maintenance, and a legally responsible party with an inclination to stay in the market is a strong argument. People who can just close up shop and leave you hanging is not considered a viable solution by a lot of professionals.

]]> By: Sam http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-250 Sam Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:49:42 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-250 @ejes The GPL allows you to sell "free" (as in freedom, open source) software. Red Hat sells their distribution, Red Hat Enterprise Linux. However, due to the terms of the GPL, someone could recompile the source code under a different name and then give it away or sell it as their own. Strange, yes. Pointing towards software decommercialization, yes. That's the good thing. @ejes

The GPL allows you to sell “free” (as in freedom, open source) software. Red Hat sells their distribution, Red Hat Enterprise Linux. However, due to the terms of the GPL, someone could recompile the source code under a different name and then give it away or sell it as their own.

Strange, yes. Pointing towards software decommercialization, yes. That’s the good thing.

]]> By: ejes http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-244 ejes Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:46:43 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-244 Mark, linux companies cannot sell linux for profit, read the GPL. They sell "support" for profit. Linux users, like windows users, would purchase software - linux is like no other operating system and in fact most people "feel" like windows is free because the cost is hidden in the purchase of their computer, it's only when upgrade time comes around that they start feeling the sting of windows cost. anyway, i think that this is a stupid argument and i really think that anyone who actually believes this should be forced to buy windows vista. in my opinion (and many other linux users) is that the OPERATING SYSTEM should be free - a computer hardware and all is not useful without an operating system - so it only makes sense that the operating system is free. any add on software from there is fair game. Mark, linux companies cannot sell linux for profit, read the GPL. They sell “support” for profit.

Linux users, like windows users, would purchase software - linux is like no other operating system and in fact most people “feel” like windows is free because the cost is hidden in the purchase of their computer, it’s only when upgrade time comes around that they start feeling the sting of windows cost.

anyway, i think that this is a stupid argument and i really think that anyone who actually believes this should be forced to buy windows vista.

in my opinion (and many other linux users) is that the OPERATING SYSTEM should be free - a computer hardware and all is not useful without an operating system - so it only makes sense that the operating system is free. any add on software from there is fair game.

]]> By: Miroslava Aleksandra Mateja Saša http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-241 Miroslava Aleksandra Mateja Saša Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:48:58 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-241 Free software for linux: http://directory.fsf.org/ Free software for linux: http://directory.fsf.org/

]]> By: Mark http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-236 Mark Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:16:41 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-236 If I recall correctly, the term "free" in regards to linux/unix software refers to the open source nature of the software, rather than the actual cost of the software. Many companies sell linux operating systems for profit. If I recall correctly, the term “free” in regards to linux/unix software refers to the open source nature of the software, rather than the actual cost of the software. Many companies sell linux operating systems for profit.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-235 Mitch Fri, 23 Nov 2007 02:44:14 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-235 Rich, he was being sarcastic, and its very true. As an Ubuntu/Debian user for 2 years I have been appalled at this trend of thought. And Shara is right; I have friends who routinely get torrents of games for free. They seem to be living a double standard. Rich, he was being sarcastic, and its very true. As an Ubuntu/Debian user for 2 years I have been appalled at this trend of thought. And Shara is right; I have friends who routinely get torrents of games for free. They seem to be living a double standard.

]]> By: Shara http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-230 Shara Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:03:21 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-230 Yeeeeah... In one of my classes a week or so ago, the same argument surfaced... A few of the classmates started talking about how all Linux users are supposedly hackers and that we'd neeeeeeever invest a dollar in a well crafted piece of software. Of course, having talked to these people before, they've told me that they've downloaded several games to "try" them out, and never bought an legit copy. Yeeeeah. Wacky, eh? Yeeeeah…

In one of my classes a week or so ago, the same argument surfaced… A few of the classmates started talking about how all Linux users are supposedly hackers and that we’d neeeeeeever invest a dollar in a well crafted piece of software.

Of course, having talked to these people before, they’ve told me that they’ve downloaded several games to “try” them out, and never bought an legit copy.

Yeeeeah. Wacky, eh?

]]> By: What is Linux? http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-229 What is Linux? Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:01:07 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-229 Not true. I've written to Adobe, Solidworks, and other companies and told them that I'm willing to pay for quality software on Linux. See here: http://dotancohen.com/eng/linux_compatibility.php Not true. I’ve written to Adobe, Solidworks, and other companies and told them that I’m willing to pay for quality software on Linux. See here:
http://dotancohen.com/eng/linux_compatibility.php

]]> By: Rich http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-228 Rich Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:13:13 +0000 http://www.hoodyhoo.com/2007/11/20/note-to-self-23-free-vs-free/#comment-228 Umm... Firefox is free... Perhaps you meant Opera. Umm… Firefox is free… Perhaps you meant Opera.

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