[Techtalk] Linux and *BSD

[Rasjid Wilcox]

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On Wednesday 01 October 2003 23:04, Julie wrote:
> BSD has been out for much longer than Linux, but it predates the modern
> version of "Free Software" and a lot of people don't recognize anything
> but the GPL as "Free Software".  There's nothing inherently "unfree"
> about the BSD license, it's just that Richard Stallman doesn't like it
> because, well, he doesn't.

There are those that see the BSD style license as more free than the GPL, 
since it does not place any restrictions on future use (including making a 
derived work closed source) and there are those that consider the GPL more 
free for precisely the same reason (it does make restrictions on future use - 
derived works _must_ remain open source).

Regardless of which view is taken, I think it a bit unfair on Richard Stallman 
to simply say he doesn't like the BSD license because "he doesn't".  He 
definitely has reasons.  Whether one agrees with those reasons is a matter of 
personal preference, opinion, belief or choice.

Anyway, thanks to all who responded to my question - it has provided at least 
some insight into a question that has puzzled me for a number of years.

Cheers,

Rasjid.

- -- 
Rasjid Wilcox
Canberra, Australia (UTC +10 hrs)
http://www.openminddev.net
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