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Re: GCC 3.3, GCC 3.4 [off-topic: forks]
- From: Per Bothner <per at bothner dot com>
- To: Scott Robert Ladd <scott at coyotegulch dot com>
- Cc: gcc at gcc dot gnu dot org
- Date: Mon, 03 Feb 2003 23:45:18 -0800
- Subject: Re: GCC 3.3, GCC 3.4 [off-topic: forks]
- References: <FKEAJLBKJCGBDJJIPJLJMEPJEIAA.scott@coyotegulch.com>
Scott Robert Ladd wrote:
I find it humorous that "free as in speech" software is against the freedom
to create forks. But the definition of "free" is something best left to
another forum... ;)
The FSF views the *freedom* to create forks as essential. However,
they tend to view *actual* forks as something to be avoided: A
failure due to developers being unable to co-operate. When developers
compete instead of co-operating, it may lead to wasteful duplication
of effort. But at the least the GPL allows code even in competing
forks to be merged.
Of course, competition also spurs innovation. But my understanding
is that the goal of GNU is the *process* of sharing. Hopefully the
result will be great Free code, but that is not as important as
the *community* working together. (This is my high-unofficial
interpretation of the GNU philosophy.)
--
--Per Bothner
per@bothner.com http://www.bothner.com/per/