Re: [PLUG] Free Software

[zuzu <sean.zuzu@gmail.com>]

On 10/26/07, Art Alexion <art.alexion@verizon.net> wrote:
> On Thursday 25 October 2007 11:12:17 Sean C. Sheridan wrote:
> > Many people may not understand that you may charge for your software and
> > still have it fall under the category of "free software"
>
> I'm not sure I understand how that coexists with "The freedom to redistribute
> copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2)."
>
> While a scenario may exist where entity A sells program-which-is-open-source,
> but allows others to distribute it for free (or for a charge), that doesn't
> seem like a real world scenario.
>

because selling copies of something which has a virtually zero cost of
duplication is an incredibly foolish business model, unless you're
appealing to government intervention/welfare in the form of copyright.

selling "units" of a mass-produced item is a relic of a manufacturing
economy.  in a knowledge economy, it's selling the _creativity_ of
_people_ that's the scarce/valuable commodity.  instead of buying
"things" we need to focus on buying "people" in the form of creative
labor (vis-a-vis opportunity cost) to invent _new_ features and
functionality.  last I checked, your brain is the only one of its
kind.
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