Re: GNAT license rational (was [ANNOUNCE] XML/Ada 0.5 released)

["Marin David Condic" <marin.condic.auntie.spam@pacemicro.com>]

The problem with the universe is that just because some topic or discussion
is ancient history to us, doesn't mean that it isn't brandy-new to a whole
new class of Ada programmers. If someone knows where to go to research the
question - great. If they don't know where to research it or didn't think to
do so, I'd regard that a bit like a student asking the prof to explain Y =
M*X + B. Yea the question has been asked before and been answered before and
books have been written on the subject and sure, the student could have
found out on his own without wasting the prof's valuable time, etc., etc.,
etc. But it seems more polite, friendly and encouraging to let those new to
a subject explore it with whatever help we can offer. A friendly, helpful &
encouraging Ada newsgroup makes Ada more attractive than a mean spirited,
condescending, patronizing and impatient newsgroup might. (And not every
answer needs to be 100% accurate. Sir Isac Newton had some inaccurate
answers to explain falling apples, but they remain very useful none the
less.)

I think the references were very helpful, Ted. I hope any re-discussion of
the subject is beneficial to those just walking into the show...

MDC
--
Marin David Condic
Senior Software Engineer
Pace Micro Technology Americas    www.pacemicro.com
Enabling the digital revolution
e-Mail:    marin.condic@pacemicro.com
Web:      http://www.mcondic.com/


"Ted Dennison" <dennison@telepath.com> wrote in message
news:FuUH6.6682$SZ5.545769@www.newsranger.com...
> Well, I think I *could* take a stab at answering this. But, lest I bring
down
> the "wrath of Dewar" upon myself yet again over some minor point, perhaps
it
> would be better if I just pointed you to some old posts that were made 5
years
> ago when this matter was first being discussed.