[mdlug] Linspire caves in to Microsoft patent threat

[Michael Corral]

Wolfger a ecrit:
> On 5/16/07, Michael Corral wrote:
>> http://www.linspire.com/linspire_letter.php
>
> I particularly like the way you are portraying their dedication to
> supporting their users as best they can as "surrender", particularly

How is making Linspire users pay the Microsoft extortion fee an
example of "dedication to supporting their users"? That seems like
the opposite to me.

> when they say they'll continue to allow their users to fight M$'s
> patent claims if they so choose.

My, how magnanimous of them!

>> "Monopolies are certainly bad for choice, but so too is open source
>> demagoguery which forces one's viewpoint upon others by limiting
>> their choices."
>
> I agree. Freedom includes the freedom to use closed source software if
> I so choose. I've had this argument with FSF fanatics in the past, and
> I'm sure I'll have it again, but the bottom line is: my box, my
> choices.

It seemed to me that the Linspire CEO in the quote above was referring
to the GPL, since GPLv3 will prohibit Novell and Linspire from doing
what they intend to do. If you agree with him, and you don't like the
GPL, then you may be happier with one of the BSDs, or Windows.

>> Good lord, why are these clowns even in the Linux business??
>
> To make money and to support the spread and development of Linux.

Well, I think you're right on one of those. :)

> What about you?

Me, I'm not in it to make money. I've played a role in the growing
acceptance of Linux where I work, with no monetary reward expected
or received. And I'm absolutely fine with that. I've also written
several applications that I've made available to Linux users for free,
all released under the GPL. I was not paid to do that, it was something
I did because I thought some people may find those applications (which
I initially wrote for my own use) useful. The fact that there are other
people now using those apps is reward enough for me.

I'd ask the same question to you, except for the small matter of me
not being interested in the answer. ;)

I do want to ask you this, though: if your distro also caved in
and starting charging the extortion fee (assuming you're not
already using Suse or Linspire), would you pay it?

Michael