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List:       gphoto-devel
Subject:    [gphoto-devel] Re: Introduction and Comments
From:       Johannes Erdfelt <johannes () erdfelt ! com>
Date:       2000-08-19 1:51:13
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On Fri, Aug 18, 2000, Richard Stallman <rms@santafe.edu> wrote:
>     It was my impression that it was the intent to use the GPL for frontend.
>     It was to merely use the LGPL for the backend (camera drivers).
> 
> If only part of gPhoto uses the LGPL, I would need to know more
> details about what the various parts do, in order to determine
> the precise implications of this alternative.

I'll leave this up to Scott to better clarify. That is what I thought
the situation looked like, but I haven't been paying attention enough to
know for sure.

>     I fail to see how they won't become "Free" with the LGPL. The only
>     thing I can see that is advantageous with the GPL over the LGPL is to
>     force the frontend to be free.
> 
>     This benefits everyone since more code is available, but it doesn't
>     increase the freedom of existing code.
> 
> Copylefting a piece of code doesn't make that code any "more free"
> than if it were not copylefted.  But it ensures that every user of the
> code has the freedoms that make for free software, and it helps make
> other code free.  So copylefting one piece of software leads to
> increased freedom for software users, by making *other* software free
> which wouldn't have been.

I think I have a good understanding of your argument now.

I don't think this method of getting people to GPL their software is the
best way of doing so. I like to think that people GPL their software
because they want and they think it's advantageous for them, as well as
beneficial to everyone else if they do. I don't want to make that
decision for them.

>     FWIW, I consider myself a part of the "Open Source Movement" rather than
>     the "Free Software Movement" if forced to make a distinction.
> 
> Your help is still welcome if you want to offer it.  But our decisions
> in the Free Software Movement are likely to differ from what the Open
> Source Movement would do, because we recognize goals and values they
> don't support.

I completely understand. I mentioned it more for everyone at large so
people would better understand my position.

JE

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