Am 28. Apr, 2002 schwätzte Tom Achtenberg so:

> RE: Linux for small businessI don't see a whole lot of difference between
> the "Free Software Movement" and the "Shareware" movement.  Just a
> different platform.

There is a philosophical difference between the two. Shareware does not give
the user of the software the rights/freedoms guaranteed by Free Software.

When looking at it from the coder's perspective, the difference is probably
more of whether or not you might get some residual income out of it and how
much control you have over the project once you release it.

When looking at it from the user's perspective, then the freedoms guaranteed
by Free Software are golden.

Which would you rather purchase?

A car that is all proprietary where you have to go to a specific mechanic
recommended by the manufacterer. If there's no available mechanic, too bad.
If the manu ceases to exist, then there are no longer mechanics or parts
available. The car's end of life is then when you run into the first problem
you can't work around.

- or -

A car that uses standard parts and allows generic mechanics and
do-it-yourselfers to work on it?

What would you do if tomorrow it were impossible to buy nuts, bolts, etc.,
so you can fix stuff around the house yourself?

Free Software is about keeping those available *and* giving people
permission to use them. Sure, even with them available I usually call a
plumber when I have a leak. Not always, though. I like having the freedom to
decide whether or not I can fix the problem.

I agree that the Free Software arguments aren't as strong when thinking
about the problem from the coder's perspective ( though I still support it
with what I do ), but from the user's perspective there's a definite cost to
not have the Free Software guarantees.

ciao,

der.hans
-- 
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#  Science is magic explained. - der.hans