On Monday 2005-01-03 00:18, der.hans wrote:
<snip/>
> I guess that would encompass my idea of commodityware, the point where
> a software tool becomes ubiquitous and has little cost. I generally
> term this by functionality, e.g. web browser, text editor, GUI widget
> set. There can be sub-fx()s, of course :). For example, tabbed browsing is
> becoming commodityware if it hasn't already reached that plateau.
>
> Most Free Software, once it hits a certain level of usage, becomes
> commodityware, but it's really about web browser rather than mozilla,
> konqueror, elinks, etc.
>
> That functionality becomes infrastructure. The nice thing is that it's
> mostly modular infrastructure configurable to individual preferences.
Infrastructural software, commodityware: Ok. close to the same thing.
> > Thus, from the standpoint of industry, gratisware is not at issue, though
> > a lower the initial price point for anything is desirable. Libertyware
> > is not at issue, industry does fine without liberty--just look at the
> > PRC. What is
>
> PRC?
People's Republic of China. Industry does well, liberty--perhaps not so well.
> I agree that the superhighway metaphor doesn't quite fit. Neither does
> comparing FOSS to water ( well, maybe, if you've read Cat-a-lyst from Alan
> Dean Foster ).
>
> We need something that is:
>
> * freely available to all people/organizations
Ok.
> * has no limit on how much raw material ( such as copies of Free Software
> in its current state ) is available
This is typical of all data-centric goods: information.
> * probably has a maintainance cost
Ok.
> * is customizable, but might have an associated cost for customization
Ok.
> * can be given away, even with customization
Hmmmm. I need to think about this.
> * generally doesn't have adverse environmental issues to be considered
Lack of DIRECT adverse environmental issues.
> * might be considered a basic building block for societal advancement
Definitely. I would emphasize economic advancement.
> * can easily be created by most anyone
I do not know about *easy* to create or "by anyone". I would agree that any
person (human or corporate) CAN (in principle) create free-infrastructure
software, and that once created and published there are VERY low barriers to
acquisition and low barriers to deployment.
> * can't be taken away
How so?
> * can be translated :)
Wouldn't this be subsumed as modification?
> Maybe Free Speech:
More like free press?
> * everyone in the .us has it[1]
Some benefit more from it than others.
> * there's no limit on raw materials, e.g. words don't wear out
Dead trees, TV wasteland, Radio oligopoly concentration. Micromedia
preaching to the converted.
> * use the language or lose it, so there's some maintenance cost
Use the right or lose it...
More, have you see the cost of meaningfull access to the free press. Very
expensive that.
> * create new words or strange grammar, but they might not be understood
Your show WILL be canceled.
> * easy to give away as pure words or as quotes
Yes, all too easy. That's why we invented copyright laws.
> * mostly no environmental issues, but there are extreme cases such as
> yelling 'fire' in a crowded theater
No DIRECT environmental issues. (look at all the lovely cell phone towers)
> * need to communicate in order to improve society
Depends who you ask.
> * easy to create new words or quotes
Again all to easy. That's why we invented trademarks.
> * once the language is learned, it can continue to be used
Yes. And it can be difficult to suppress (eg. Turks trying to outlaw
Kurdish.)
> * Redefreiheit :)
Huh?
> > My understanding of the term "superhighway", however, does not include
> > just freeways (like Interstate-10) but also toll roads and turnpikes
> > (like the New
>
> Maybe it should just be 'language' rather than 'Free Speech'.
Maybe....
> >
> > Beyond that, the reader will note that the PLUG Development discussion
> > expected the big winners from the growth of FOSS available as
> > commodified, standardized, free infrastructure were not the digitally
> > disenfranchised, but huge established companies like GE, GM, and Walmart.
> > Perhaps, freeways and
>
> Hmm. I hope my point was not that the huge companies will be *the* big
> winners, rather that they are making great gains due to FOSS and that
> their economic reliance on FOSS will pit them to defend FOSS against
> things like patent claims. I think the big winners will be all who benefit
> from FOSS, which, in the end, will be everyone :). Yes, Virginia, even the
> proprietary software vendors, even if they won't admit it :).
Most proprietary software vendors may win from ever-more-FOSS, but *some* will
be road kill.
In theory everyone will benefit from FOSS that is true.
Of course, another social "theory" notes that some animals are inevitably more
equal than others.
Everyone will NOT benefit equally from FOSS, and in practice some will be
worse off.
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