oz@yunexus.yorku.ca (Ozan Yigit) (06/29/90)
In article <DRW.90Jun25214521@pascal.mit.edu> Dale R. Worley (drw@pascal.mit.edu) writes: >Having talked to RMS about this, I assure you that he believes that >all embodiments of "intellectual property" are fundamentally immoral. >Thus, the concepts of the GPL should be extended to absolutely all >works now copyrighted. also, in article <239@audfax.audiofax.com> Arnold Robbins (arnold@audiofax.com) writes: >Disbelief that this could really be the case is what started the whole >discussion. As evidenced by Dale's article, not encouraging non-free >information is part and parcel of the FSF's ideals. I think "morality" is a topic better dealt elsewhere, and I further think that RMS's or FSF's belief system(s) are inconsequential so long as they remain inarticulated. In my view, neither the statements within GPL, nor those in the GNU Manifesto are sufficient to formulate a whole philosophy on "intellectual property" or "information morality/ethics" by any stretch of the imagination. If there are any substantial arguments (instead of obscure comments in source code) to be made in the topic of "intellectual property" (as manifested in works now copyrighted), in a manner that is suitable for public/academic interpretation and discussion, I would look forward to it. In other words, if there is something important to say, would somebody properly say it so we can all consider its significance for ourselves? This issue, however, is only peripheral to the issue of giving *proper credit* where one is due, whether that be books, personal communication, source code, whatever. So the question really is *whether or not the awk book is used as a reference* during the development of GAWK, rather than *the status of information* contained therein. If it *was* used, than the least I expect is a proper reference: it is my opinion that the quality of a tool, or its public usefullness does not absolve the authors from the responsibility towards other works that made the tool possible. regards.. oz --- First learn your horn and all the theory. Internet: oz@nexus.yorku.ca Next develop a style. Then forget all that uucp: utzoo/utai!yunexus!oz and just play. Charlie Parker [?] York U. CCS: (416) 736 5257