[Irrelevant text deleted -FN] The Open Source Movement was started in 1998 as a reaction against the idealism of the Free Software Movement. Our purpose in developing the GNU operating system was so we could have the freedom to cooperate. In the 90s, our free software developed a reputation for being powerful and reliable so much that millions began using it for those reasons alone. They started the Open Source Movement as a way to talk about our software while allowing our ideals to be forgotten. That movement deliberately avoids saying that users are entitled to the freedom to share and change the software they use. They only say that it is a way to develop powerful, reliable software. The software they develop contributes to our community, but they don't teach people to value freedom, and that leaves the community weak. It's understandable why corporations and corporate-friendly governments typically use the term "open source": they are not interested in encouraging the spirit of freedom. But it would make much more sense for your organization to talk about "free software". Surely you don't want to help the corporations co-opt our work. See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-for-freedom.html for more explanation of the difference between the two movements. > Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 02:11:36 +0530 (IST) > From: Ranjith P <ranjith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Subject: [fsug-calicut] OSS and ...!! > > Hi All, > I have been reading mails about OSS, its activities, Mr. Arun's > questioning of OSS's ethics and so on and so forth. > If I understand correctly, OSS gives software and its source code for > anybody who pays the price of the software. I find nothing unethical > about it!! As long as u sell the 'software+source code', it is completely > fine. I don't understand why anyone should oppose it!! Rather one should > encourage it. I find Arun's mails against this are sort of prejudiced > and often ridiculous!! > Dear Arun, I have a humble question. > What else do you expect from a group who finances themselves and > makes software? Do you expect them to give everything for free?! > If yes, I pity you! As somebody rightly pointed out, this kind > of attitude is the real bane on kerala's development. > > Ranjith. --------------------------------------------- FSUG-Kozhikode Home Page : http://www.freelists.org/webpage/fsug-calicut ---------------------------------------------