Re: Debian's WWW site Styleguides

[Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@datasync.com>]

Hi,

	I think that the free that we talkt about has more to do with
 freedom (availibility of sources, and freedom in licensing) of
 software rather than free as in inexpensive. 

	I think one can sell Debian for a million dollars, if one
 wishes, and still be within the GPL. Since you give your customer the
 right to distribute the software further, it doesn't make sense, but
 I can sell Debian for as much as I care. 

	In fact, I'll make it official: I'm selling Debian 1.3.1 for
 the sum of US $20,000,000.00. (This may not result in any actual
 sales ;-). The buyer is entitled to the full 2 CD official set at these
 prices, complete with sources. (I hardly call this inexpensive, but
 these rates shall enable me to retire in luxury).

	manoj

from the preamble of the GPL:
[...]
  When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not
price.  Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you
have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for
this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it
if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it
in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.

  To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights.
These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you
distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it.

  For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether
gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that
you have.  You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the
source code.  And you must show them these terms so they know their
rights.


-- 
 "Irrigation of the land with seawater desalinated by fusion power is
 ancient. It's called 'rain'." Michael McClary, in alt.fusion
Manoj Srivastava               <url:mailto:srivasta@acm.org>
Mobile, Alabama USA            <url:http://www.datasync.com/%7Esrivasta/>


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