GCC 4.2.1 Released

larry bagina writes "GCC 4.2.1 was released 4 days ago. Although this minor update would otherwise be insignificant, it will be the final GPL v2 release; all future releases will be GPL v3. Some key contributors are grumbling over this change and have privately discussed a fork to stay as GPL v2. The last time GCC forked (EGCS), the FSF conceded defeat. How will the FSF/GNU handle the GPL 3 revolt?"

Re:Fact lite submission

[Anonymous Coward]

Who is opposing the transition to GPLv3 and why?

There's this guy Linus [wikipedia.org], he's one. You may have heard of him. He's the guy who created git [wikipedia.org] and some other minor projects.

Re:Fact lite submission

[conares]

I do! Becuz' dat Torvalds gai sed it was liek no gud....or sumpin...;)

Re:How will the FSF/GNU handle the GPL 3 revolt?

[itsdapead]

1. Linux distributors choosing to distribute GPLv3 binaries will be able to do so without changing what they're doing now.

Tell that to Novell. :-)

...but even Linux distributors who haven't drunk the MS Kool-aid will be faced with a "choice" between sticking with current versions of key products (with whatever bugs and vulnerabilities come to light), maintaining their own forks, or being bound by the terms of GPLv3.

2. You don't understand GPLv3 and think others might be confused too.

Darn right!

However, you missed the bit about all the developers who followed FSF's advice about the "or later" clause and now have no choice but to allow their work to be distributed under GPLv3.

None of this addresses the question: How does releasing GCC amount to shoveling the license down our throats?

Er, no, your "summary" just chose to exclude all the bits from the original that did address the question. However, in case you are havving difficlty with the concept of "metaphor" I fully concede that my post contained absolutely no evidence that any representative of the FSF has ever used a digging implement to compel any third party to physically ingest a software license.

Re:Just my 2 cents

[Anonymous Coward]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and mine just so happens to be that if things keep going the way they are I may decide to look to other operating systems.

No you're not. The GPLv4 explicitly disallows you from having any opinion on how the FSF works or you lose your right to have an opinion.