[OT] Mono politics [was: Re: Compile Mono]

[Bob McConnell]

Avi Greenbury wrote:
> On Thu, 15 May 2008 19:08:22 -0400 Bob McConnell
> <rmcconne at lightlink.com> wrote:
> 
>> Michael.Coll-Barth at VerizonWireless.com wrote:
>>> 
>>> Say what?  Wouldn't 'true software freedom' mean that I can use
>>> *any* software I want?  Even if it isn't open source?
>> Yes, that is the meaning of freedom. But Mono is a blatant attempt
>> to slip proprietary components into Linux and take away that
>> freedom.
> 
> No. It isn't.
> 
> Mono being in Ubuntu is Ubuntu exploiting that freedom, by making it
> available.
> 
> If Ubuntu had looked at the licensing issues and decided that, on
> those grounds, they would ensure I could not use Mono under Ubuntu,
> _that_ would be taking away the freedom to use any software I want.
> 
> I use Skype and Opera, despite them being closed source. This, too,
> is me taking advantage of the freedom to use any software I like.
> Neither are restricting that freedom at all, certainly not by merit
> of being closed source.

Some of you need to remove both the blinders and the rose colored 
glasses. I suggest you run over to <http://www.groklaw.net/> and read 
some of the lawyers' discussions about what Microsoft is up to. Then 
spend some time reading up on the dirty tricks they have been pulling 
for nearly three decades. They have ruined a lot of companies and 
individuals' lives in that period, and there is no indication they will 
ever change. So far neither the US Department of Justice nor the 
European government has been able to force them to obey their laws.

I'm outa here.

Bob McConnell
N2SPP