Re: [tlug] Re: Why Vista Sucks (was: linux: it's becoming ubiquitous)

[Attila Kinali <attila@example.com>]

On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:18:19 +0900
"Josh Glover" <jmglov@example.com> wrote:

> On 28/03/2008, Attila Kinali <attila@example.com> wrote:
> 
> > I strongly disagree. It's the currently used bussines model
> >  that demands a closed and well controlled distribution system
> >  for software. If you choose a different bussines model you can
> >  still make money even if you give away the software for free
> >  if the product you sell is not the software itself.
> 
> How is that "strongly disagreeing" with Gernot's statement? I assume
> his friends are mainly tied into the shrinkware business model, which
> blinds them to the utility of giving away the source code. But he did
> not say that is the way it has to be.

Well, i read it that way ^^'
 
> > I hope you don't expect people thinking further than just for their
> >  own profit? People are 1) lazy and 2) egoists. They will not do
> >  something for the benefit of someone else unless they get somewhen
> >  later something back of equivalent value (or at least expect to do so).
> 
> I assume you are being a bit tongue-in-cheek here, but I'll bite. Like
> Larry Wall says, laziness and hubris are virtues, if they motivate
> people to be efficient and take pride in their work.

If and only if they are motivated by their laziness/hubris/impatience.
But as you know, most people are just simply lazy, without trying
to improve their efficiency, hubris, whithout trying to be the best
out there, impatience, whithout trying to get their tools do
the work faster.

> Ultimately, what
> is good for all of us is good for me too. I'd much rather act in a way
> that benefits me little to none, or even hurts me, if it benefits
> humanity in the long term, because humanity in the long term == my
> genetic material.

That somehow relates to the "Selfish Gene" which i'm currently reading,
but you'll have to wait until i'm finshed until i can comment on that :-)


> If you really are a pessimist, send me your postal address, and I'll
> be happy to mail you a copy of Jeffrey Sachs's excellent "Common
> Wealth", provided you promise to a) read it, and b) pass it on to some
> other pessimist when you are done. :)

Actually, i'm quite an optimist, but without the rose-coloured
glasses. I know (or at least pretend that i know) that all good
has its limits, that at some point the bad or even worse starts.

But anyways, what makes you think that "Common Wealth" is an
excellent book? And why should i read it?


			Attila Kinali

-- 
Praised are the Fountains of Shelieth, the silver harp of the waters,
But blest in my name forever this stream that stanched my thirst!
                         -- Deed of Morred