free speach and KDE

[Lucas Vogel]

#ifndef MY_2_CENTS_DISCLAIMER
#define MY_2_CENTS_DISCLAIMER

I would like to make a couple vague comments...

My VERY limited experience with trying to understand Gtk/Gnome/gdk goes like
this:
	Gtk/Gnome/etc. to me in general comes across as fairly confusing,
unless you already have your heart set in C programming. Their widget set
does come across as easy to understand, however. For C++ you have to go and
get Gtk--, one of many different widget-related packages you may or may not
need, depending on the task at hand. Overall, there is a very nice widget
set under many different packages that need to be installed and maintained.
	Qt is a C++ widget set that for the most part, from developer
response and LinuxJournal articles, is another very well-developed kit as
well. I think one particular advantage of using Qt is consolidation - there
are far less packages to worry about than your G* packages in the last
paragraph. 
	Qt made, IMHO, a very good marketing move by letting the KDE and
open-source projects use their software. When you consider the many free and
non-free kits out there, how many come to mind when you try to list them? Qt
and G* will most likely be in the top 5 names you drop. In terms of Qt's
licensing, I think it is only fair, and would have no qualms paying if I/my
co. were to use their sw in a commercial environment. If I/my co. can shuck
out thousands for MSDN, I don't see too big of an issue paying much less
than that for a GUI toolkit. 
	From what little I understand of Debian, their choice to not include
KDE/Qt software is a philosophical licensing issue. They do not want to
include anything that isn't released under the GPL. Debian should be
respected for their decision, and IMHO people should see that and move on. I
am a little confused though-you can build all the open-source freely
distributable software you want with Qt, as long as it's not commercial.
Seems fair to me...
	If you want the KDE, or Qt, you know where to get it. Software
companies, like all companies, will do what they deem best(which can often
translate to "what's more profitable") for their company. The stink over the
QPL is a grossly overexaggerated stink. Debian users desperate for the KDE
will download it, Qt will try to make money selling professional-level
licenses, MSDN will always be really expensive and mostly worthless, and
life will go on. 

As for me, I consider myself very fortunate to have an operating system with
over 6 GB of software I never had to pay for. And while I can't speak for a
good deal of the software, the operating system is definitely of a much
higher quality than most, if not all, commercial operating systems
available. I'm grateful to be reaping the benefits of GNU.


I can't remember the last time I wrote so much to the group! :) I could be
way off on a few points, but this is how it comes out at 12:30 at night :)