Re: future of proprietry source code (was: Ada generics are bad)

[David Kastrup <dak@mailhost.neuroinformatik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de>]

David Masterson <David.Masterson@kla-tencor.com> writes:

> David Kastrup wrote:
> > 
> > David Masterson <David.Masterson@kla-tencor.com> writes:
> > 
> > > The current interest in "free" software is largely due to a backlash
> > > against Microsoft.  If Microsoft succeeds in quelling this backlash,
> > > then the fervor for "free" software will die down (it won't go away)
> > > and so will the progress that GPL'd software is making.
> > 
> > The problem is that the "backlash" is not a mere temporary greed
> > symptom but is caused by the exact business practices that make
> > Microsoft successful at the inconvenience of their users and the
> > global market.
> > 
> > If it is going to stop, the business practices have to change to the
> > better.  But actual developments seem to go openly into the other
> > direction.
> 
> Which suggests...  what?

That this "backlash" effect of interest in free software is probably
going to stay with us for quite a while.  As any technology advance of
properly free software is permanent, this interest and corresponding
developments will have lasting effects on the availability of free
alternatives to cut-throat business products.

Meaning that the longer Microsoft and consorts play rough, the worse
they'll damage their business.  And getting reasonable does not merely
mean a campaign with faked letters to editors, testimonials and other
stuff Microsoft is planning currently (see current press coverings).

-- 
David Kastrup                                     Phone: +49-234-700-5570
Email: dak@neuroinformatik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de       Fax: +49-234-709-4209
Institut f�r Neuroinformatik, Universit�tsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany