Re: [tlug] Bill Gates and the GPL , let the flames begin

["SL Baur" <steve@example.com>]

On 4/29/08, Kenneth Burling <burlingk@example.com> wrote:

> Again, borrowing analogies.

As has been proven by high signal to noise ratio, quality edited web sites like
http://entertainment.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/29/181249
the only thing that really works is an automobile analogy.  So here goes:

Computer software licensing is like a toll road.

With the BSD license, the nice person doesn't even look at you as you drive
through the toll gates.

With the GPL v2, you are ordered out of the car and if during inspection a
joint is discovered hidden in your glove compartment.  No problem, so long
as you light up and share it with the inspector.

With the GPL v3, it's the same as with the GPL v2, except that you have to
prove that you own or have clear title to everything in the car.  No problems
so long as you do and you still share your joint with the inspector.

With the Microsoft EULA, you are ordered out of the car, strip searched, the car
is X-rayed, and you are forced to produce receipts for every item in
the car.  The
joint in the glove compartment is confiscated and you pay a hefty fee to go
through the checkpoint.  In later versions of the EULA, your car is armed with
a self-destruct device and subjected to remote scans.  If it is determined that
something about your car is wrong or that proper fees haven't been paid, it is
destroyed.

With other so-called source licenses like Mozilla, Apache, Sun, etc. if you are
of the same race as the inspector (substitute drive the same model of car if you
wish), you are allowed to pass freely, otherwise you are forbidden entry.

Any questions?

-sb