From: Chris Russo (extropy@russo.org)
Date: Wed Nov 29 2000 - 16:17:37 MST
Just one comment that I must make when I see Open Source Ubiquity
proponents claiming that loss of IP is no big deal:
>Software.
[...]
>I don't see
>software people hurt in the slightest.
It'd be nice to consider those with "non-geek" interests in making
such a sweeping generalization. My mom, for instance, likes to do
quilting and has some little program she bought for it.
Exactly which geeks are going to scratch their itch to make quilting
software if they can't make some money off providing the authoring
service?
We've had this massive move toward everyone finding a reason to get a
computer and use it in many facets of their lives. That's a good
thing.
The destruction of IP rights will act to oppose the development of
non-geek uses of computers. That's a bad thing.
I like open source software. I contribute to it where I can both
with coding and with donations. It's not the answer to everything,
though, and thinking that we should completely eliminate the classic
commercial software model is destructive to the overall greater good
of making computers used and useful for both the geeks and the moms.
Regards,
Chris Russo
--
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought
or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet
hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance
which does harm."
-- Marcus Aurelius, MEDITATIONS, VI, 21
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