Comments on: all writing should be free

By: John Chrisoulakis

John Chrisoulakis — Mon, 21 May 2007 12:19:04 +0000

Need I say: free as in “freedom”, not free as in “free beer”? Let’s not get confused here!

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Sat, 19 May 2007 00:11:51 +0000

@ John:
Well spotted. I saw the typo and then corrected it. I concur that the uncorrected version had some unique mojo of its own, but it didn’t express the thought I intended.
Thanks for the pointer

By: John Ballatrae

John Ballatrae — Sat, 19 May 2007 00:02:39 +0000

Yesterday’s version of this article began with “All software should free”, but now it reads “should BE free.” I liked yesterday’s start better — if Microsoft or any other company can make software that enables one to be free or freer or that frees up time or creativity, then good luck to them. Perhaps that is what you bring or will bring to Microsoft — or rather, that is the meaning you will help Microsoft find — if we follow the Hughtrain track.

By: guy

guy — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:47:57 +0000

"if you don't sell out; you sell out on yourself" --- A-ron the great conundrum of our lives...

By: alterion

alterion — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:38:57 +0000

All software should be free (as in speech) but not all software should be free (as in beer) that’s my perspective. I think that it should be possible to release all software at least “semi-free“
but saying “All software should free” just sounds like your grammar is wrong (unless I have fallen for a clever hugh trap which is equally likely)

By: Michael Neel

Michael Neel — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:00:34 +0000

I don’t care for clothes, and I don’t drink wine, but I do work with Microsoft stuff all day long. As Einstein said, “it’s relative, dude.”

By: Hobbix

Hobbix — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:54:50 +0000

What’s that coming over the hill
Is it a monster? A Blue Monster?
What’s that coming over the hill
Is it a monster? A Blue Monster?
An adaptation of the hit song by The Automatics.
Sing along it’s fun. Make a good cartoon too.

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:52:48 +0000

John, boring for you, maybe

By: John

John — Thu, 17 May 2007 22:39:42 +0000

English Cut is sexy
Stormhoek is sexy
Microsoft is boring.
Less boring, more sexy please.

By: Mike Peter Reed

Mike Peter Reed — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:49:25 +0000

I remember paying for the Netscape Browser. Then I remember Microsoft started giving away Internet Explorer, for no fee.
With the service model for IT, are you paying for the software, or paying for the service that gives you value?
I don’t “want” to pay for commodity software, but I do want to pay for support and services that give me a competitive advantage, whether they are driven by software or driven by writing.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:23:22 +0000

It seems to me that the whole storm in a teacup centred about Hilf’s comment comes down to two separate meanings of “Free” in English.
Perhaps Stalman should have called it Liberty Software…