Re: Re: Debian goes big business? [was: Re: Suggestion for RedHat (was: RH vs Debian)]

[David Wright <d.wright@open.ac.uk>]

Quoting Greg Vence (gvence@bsat.com):
> "Eric Gillespie, Jr." wrote:
> > 
> > On Tue, 19 Jan 1999, Christian Lavoie wrote:
> > 
> > > I starting to think this whole mess started on a word understanding
> > > problem. I wouldn't name such an organization a 'corporation', =P

Written by someone in a Europeanish timezone ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

> > >
> > 
> > Since "corporation" is the legal term for the type of entity I am
> > describing, I don't see what's wrong with calling it a democratic
> > corporation.

Written by someone in a North Americanish timezone ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

> > 
> The problem is this is neither.  Debian isn't a Democracy, its a
> Republic. :)  Otherwise, all you'd need is enough ignorant people voting
> for a stupid idea and the project would be ruined.
> 
> In a _real_ Republic, you put the smart people to work making a minimal
> set of rules that we all follow.
> 
> Corporations are owned by shareholders.  It is a democracy.  How do you
> trade shares, money?  Who gets how many?  What happens when BillyG owns
> 50.1%, or pick your favorite aspiring businessman?

I thought Companies were owned by their shareholders. But I'm British.
I hope Debian is international. So it might be worth using carefully
some clearer terminology to discuss these issues?

Cheers,

-- 
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