AcrobatReader: A bug or intentionally?

[Michael D. Stemle, Jr.]

On Thursday 26 April 2007 05:17:16 Mark Wallace wrote:
> No, it doesn't!!! GPL software lets you, study, modify, etc.  Free
> software only means that you didn't have to pay for it.
>

Okay, so when someone is a "free citizen" that means that you can just bring 
them on hoe and don't have to pay for them?  When it's a "free country" you 
can pick up the deed to the whole country and put it in your back pocket 
without paying for it?

Obviously not.  That would be absurd (though slightly amusing in the 
short-term) and nobody would really be okay with such nonsense (after the 
amusement wore off).

It is important to be certain of the contextual meaning of the word you're 
using or reading before jumping to conclusions.  There are a number of 
definitions for "free," and nine times out of ten, when you see me (and 
likely others) refer to "free software", I'm using a combination of 
definitions 14 and 16 seen below.

Please allow me to quote the dictionary (courtesy of kdict, a Free Software 
program)....

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]

Free \Free\ (fr[=e]), a. [Compar. Freer (-[~e]r); superl.
   Freest (-[e^]st).] [OE. fre, freo, AS. fre['o], fr[imac];
   akin to D. vrij, OS. & OHG. fr[imac], G. frei, Icel.
   fr[imac], Sw. & Dan. fri, Goth. freis, and also to Skr. prija
   beloved, dear, fr. pr[imac] to love, Goth. frij[=o]n. Cf.
   Affray, Belfry, Friday, Friend, Frith inclosure.]
   1. Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under
      restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's
      own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's
      own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
      [1913 Webster]

            That which has the power, or not the power, to
            operate, is that alone which is or is not free.
                                                  --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Not under an arbitrary or despotic government; subject
      only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and
      defended by them from encroachments upon natural or
      acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Liberated, by arriving at a certain age, from the control
      of parents, guardian, or master.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Not confined or imprisoned; released from arrest;
      liberated; at liberty to go.
      [1913 Webster]

            Set an unhappy prisoner free.         --Prior.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Not subjected to the laws of physical necessity; capable
      of voluntary activity; endowed with moral liberty; -- said
      of the will.
      [1913 Webster]

            Not free, what proof could they have given sincere
            Of true allegiance, constant faith, or love.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. Clear of offense or crime; guiltless; innocent.
      [1913 Webster]

            My hands are guilty, but my heart is free. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved;
      ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative.
      [1913 Webster]

            He was free only with a few.          --Milward.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. Unrestrained; immoderate; lavish; licentious; -- used in a
      bad sense.
      [1913 Webster]

            The critics have been very free in their censures.
                                                  --Felton.
      [1913 Webster]

            A man may live a free life as to wine or women.
                                                  --Shelley.
      [1913 Webster]

   9. Not close or parsimonious; liberal; open-handed; lavish;
      as, free with his money.
      [1913 Webster]

   10. Exempt; clear; released; liberated; not encumbered or
       troubled with; as, free from pain; free from a burden; --
       followed by from, or, rarely, by of.
       [1913 Webster]

             Princes declaring themselves free from the
             obligations of their treaties.       --Bp. Burnet.
       [1913 Webster]

   11. Characteristic of one acting without restraint; charming;
       easy.
       [1913 Webster]

   12. Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping;
       spirited; as, a free horse.
       [1913 Webster]

   13. Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying
       certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special
       rights; -- followed by of.
       [1913 Webster]

             He therefore makes all birds, of every sect,
             Free of his farm.                    --Dryden.
       [1913 Webster]

   14. Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed
       without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed,
       engrossed, or appropriated; open; -- said of a thing to
       be possessed or enjoyed; as, a free school.
       [1913 Webster]

             Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as free
             For me as for you?                   --Shak.
       [1913 Webster]

   15. Not gained by importunity or purchase; gratuitous;
       spontaneous; as, free admission; a free gift.
       [1913 Webster]

   16. Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending
       individual rights against encroachment by any person or
       class; instituted by a free people; -- said of a
       government, institutions, etc.
       [1913 Webster]

   17. (O. Eng. Law) Certain or honorable; the opposite of
       base; as, free service; free socage. --Burrill.
       [1913 Webster]

   18. (Law) Privileged or individual; the opposite of common;
       as, a free fishery; a free warren. --Burrill.
       [1913 Webster]

   19. Not united or combined with anything else; separated;
       dissevered; unattached; at liberty to escape; as, free
       carbonic acid gas; free cells.
       [1913 Webster]

-- 
~ Michael D. Stemle, Jr. <><
(A)bort, (R)etry, (I)nfluence with large hammer
The number of the beast - vi vi vi