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 ]

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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?

[restin256]

They'd make almost no money if they were open-source.

I accept closed-source like I do christianity. It's okay, but it has to be somwhat controlled. As long as it doesn't get out of hand, make shitty products, and try to take over the world, I'm completely okay with it. Microsoft crossed this boundry, and that's why we hate it.

[flap]

quote:They'd make almost no money if they were open-source.

Have you heard of Red Hat, or mysql? These companies (and others) are making money already, and free software isn't even dominant yet.

[ March 26, 2004: Message edited by: flap ]

[restin256]

Hmm.. you pose a point. They make their software and source available, and make a lot of money at the same time. I'm not sure how much they earn, or how much they pay their programmers, though.

[hm_murdock]

quote:Personally, I think it's a bad thing that any company can make as much money as Microsoft does.

  :eek:    :eek:  

Dude... that don't sound so good

[flap]

Why not?

[hm_murdock]

Because it doesn't. I see no need to provide any further reason.

It is my opinion that it sounds bad. I no more need to prove that my opinion to you than I need to sell air conditioners to Inuits.

[flap]

So why did you bother saying anything? Thanks for your valuable contribution anyway.

[hm_murdock]

Because I can. I need not reason or authorization to express my thoughts.

If I think that your statement is wrong and dangerous, then I can say so. I cannot tell you that your opinion is wrong. It is, after all, your opinion, which by definition is neither true or false. It simply is your opinion.

Please note that this is the truth.

[restin256]

quote: I cannot tell you that your opinion is wrong.

Okay, I love you.

[hm_murdock]

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I like oats
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