[comp.emacs] Writing software isn't vs tape distribution

rms@canna.kr.UUCP (04/01/87)

  If you think that you can get someone
  to buy the tapes, do the copy, package, and mail them for less, encourage
  them to do so.  I'd much rather have the FSF writing free software than
  spending all their time playing tape duplication.

By all means, redistribute GNU software if you find that useful, but
if you are looking for a way to help the GNU project and enable the
Free Software Foundation to write more free software, sparing us the
distraction of tape duplication is the wrong way to do it.

The Emacs tape distribution business doesn't take away from our
resources; instead it gives the Foundation an income that we have used
to hire one low-paid capable hacker.  I hope we will soon have enough
income to hire another.

Ordering a tape from the Foundation is one way of getting a copy of
GNU Emacs; it is also a way of helping the GNU project.  If you would
like to help in a way that takes less time and effort than writing
some GNU software would take, this is a good method to consider.