Miscellaneous > Applications
Why not open source old stuff?
preacher:
quote:Originally posted by flap:
Well I could give you my take on why free software is a good thing and why proprietary software is bad, but most of what I'd say is much the same as what you can read at http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/philosophy.html , http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/shouldbefree.html and the link in my sig.
...and, as I've already said (in fact, as was the original reason I posted), software doesn't have to be proprietary for there to be money made from it. And remember, the issue is about freedom, not cost and whether or not you're charged for the software.
[ March 25, 2004: Message edited by: flap ]
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Freedom of what? Will not having the ability to do whatever you want with the source code of Doom 3 make you die or something? Open Source does not need to be everywhere, and yes closed source applications make a lot more money than open source ones. Case in point Microsoft Windows.
[ March 25, 2004: Message edited by: ThePreacher ]
flap:
quote:Originally posted by ThePreacher:
Freedom of what? Will not having the ability to do whatever you want with the source code of Doom 3 make you die or something? Open Source does not need to be everywhere, and
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Are you disagreeing with the arguments for free software or are you literally just unaware of them? Did you read any of the stuff I just pointed you to? I know lots of people disagree with the idea of free software, and I can argue with you about a specific point if you like, but you seem to have been taken by surprise by its very existence.
quote:yes closed source applications make a lot more money than open source ones. Case in point Microsoft Windows.
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This is arguable, but in my opinion that's one of the reasons why free software is a good thing. I think that if any industry is generating as much money as software is (case in point Microsoft) then there's something wrong, not right, with it.
[ March 25, 2004: Message edited by: flap ]
restin256:
I don't mind closed-source games, they do no harm. Applications, instant messengers, browsers, Operating Systems, etc can be improved more immediately.
preacher:
I'm arguing with the points of free software if it means that they believe all software should be free. I just can't agree with that.
I don't see how it is arguable that closed source software makes more money than open source software. Name a piece of open source software that is more profitable than it's closed source counterpart.
I find it quite acceptable if someone wants to give their source code away, but I don't see one good reason anywhere, that a company should accept lower profits by making their software "free". Do you really think that companies that currently use a closed model can stay in business if they went to an open model? Imagine if Apple just gave away all the secrets to their excellent GUI. What would stop a competitor from copying all of their innovation? Why would anyone want to buy a mac over the competitors nearly identical product?
I am all for money making and companies like Apple and Microsoft know what they have to do to make money and being "free" isn't that.
If supporting Open Source Software means throwing all of your business knowledge out the window I will never support it.
flap:
quote:I don't see how it is arguable that closed source software makes more money than open source software
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No, I wasn't doubting that, I was saying that it's arguable whether that's a bad or a good thing. Personally, I think it's a bad thing that any company can make as much money as Microsoft does.
quote:I don't see one good reason anywhere, that a company should accept lower profits by making their software "free". Do you really think that companies that currently use a closed model can stay in business if they went to an open model?
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I don't think companies will be quick to voluntarily accept lower profits either, but I'm hoping that eventually they'll be forced to, by businesses and the public demanding free software and all the benefits associated with it.
quote:I am all for money making and companies like Apple and Microsoft know what they have to do to make money and being "free" isn't that.
If supporting Open Source Software means throwing all of your business knowledge out the window I will never support it.
--- End quote ---
Why do you care more about the bloated profits of corporations than your own and the rest of society's freedom to share modify programs?
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