Re: [9fans] x10

[a@9srv.net]

// Just look at the world of Windows. Where is all the
// BSD licensed Windows software?

um, there's not exactly a *ton* of GPL code for Win32, either. some, sure,
but the dearth of both is due, i believe, do the nature of the underlying
system. 

// With no GPL I'm willing to bet that plan9 would not have gone open source...

while i'm not willing to take that bet, i'm not backing it, either. several of
the labs folks have been fighting with lawyers to get as much out the door as
possible for years before the GPL was the force it is today. and i believe the
shift in the lawyers ability to listen is due more to changes in the world at
large than to the GPL (although it likely helped).

that said, you point is probably valid: it's certainly been the case with
various hardware manufacturers that produce drivers for linux that wouldn't
otherwise be likely to give out the info.

anyway, i'm not looking to put down the GPL. it's fine for what it is and
what it does. it's actually *especially* useful for companies producing their
own code, all FUD aside. what strikes me as "bad" is the idea that the GPL
has a moral advantage over BSD/MIT licenses.

anyway, tangential references to plan9 aside, this has gone fairly far off
topic. whatever license you like is fine: if i don't like it, i simply
won't use your stuff. there's always a choice.
ア