Proprietary graphics in a free program?

[Aleks Peshkov]

Free software, especially viral freedom enforced by GPL have its value mainly on free environment like GNU/Linux. It is very troublesome to force freedom inside closed systems (hardware, OS, applications) like small devices.

Tord, you are the undoubted copyright holder of Glaurung, in my opinion, it would be better to release future versions of iPhone Glaurung under closed source license.

The problem that you force freedom, but it do not make you happy because popularity dramatically raise all cloning issues. I doubt that Fabien is happy that his creature is connected with most scandals during last years.

Sorry, if my statement will open a new flame topic.

[Tord Romstad]

Free software, especially viral freedom enforced by GPL have its value mainly on free environment like GNU/Linux. It is very troublesome to force freedom inside closed systems (hardware, OS, applications) like small devices.

There are some very frustrating aspects of writing GPLed software for the iPhone, especially that users will have to pay the 99$ yearly developer license and/or jailbreak their phones to be able to build the source code and distribute the program (or even install it on their own devices). The users still get more freedom than with a proprietary program, though.

Tord, you are the undoubted copyright holder of Glaurung, in my opinion, it would be better to release future versions of iPhone Glaurung under closed source license.

That's not going to happen. A non-free Glaurung would have no value to me, and little value to the community.

The problem that you force freedom, but it do not make you happy

So far, I'm extremely happy.

My program is far stronger and much better written than it would have been if I kept the source code closed. It's available on a bigger number of platforms. Many people have learned from it, and some of the things I do have found their way into some extremely strong programs (free and non-free).

because popularity dramatically raise all cloning issues. I doubt that Fabien is happy that his creature is connected with most scandals during last years.

I think you could just as well argue in the opposite direction: Cloning is not a problem because of free or open source programs, but because proprietary programs are considered normal and acceptable by the community. If everyone played with open cards, cloning would no longer be possible.

Sorry, if my statement will open a new flame topic.

I won't flame you: I don't agree with you in this case, but flaming decent and polite people for giving me honest and friendly advice isn't my style.

Tord

[jdart]

Your choice, of course.

But I've spent over 25 years developing closed-source and restricted licensed software professionally and so I'm not exactly down on the whole concept .

The chess software I develop is a hobby, and that's different. But it's not GPL and I don't have a lot of adherence to RMS's views on the subject.

--Jon