Comment Terribly optimistic (Score 1) 194
I would very much like to see the debate between Apple and the free software community (not just ESR or RMS or Bruce Perens, etc.) before Apple decides. I think many people would start getting disillusioned if all the "important" decisions were debated and resolved before we even heard about them.
You have a good point, but I think you're missing ESR's. It wasn't just that these other people expressed their views in public, but that many people openly attacked Apple's license, as well as ESR and OSI. Rather than responding with "Don't you think that this could be improved by [insert-your-favorite-addition-here]?", they said the whole thing was evil. Of course, I'm not referring to everyone here, as some people were actually behaving rationally.
On the other hand, ESR doesn't seem to be taking the same stance he did at first on the license -- I could be wrong, but this is the first time I've seen him admitting that there could be something wrong with it. Even if this is true, he made a mistake, and it's not an irreversible one. Cut him a little slack :-)
When writing to extremely open-minded people, flame can get results, but no matter who you write to the results are almost always better if you explain your position rationally (some people respond to neither, but that's not the point). Also, bear in mind that when you're the recipient, large amounts of flame can easily drown out the support you may have, and provide a picture that is a lot bleaker than the reality.
So... in conclusion, ESR is not perfect, but he is trying to do the right thing here. Keep that in mind before you get mad at him.
David
You have a good point, but I think you're missing ESR's. It wasn't just that these other people expressed their views in public, but that many people openly attacked Apple's license, as well as ESR and OSI. Rather than responding with "Don't you think that this could be improved by [insert-your-favorite-addition-here]?", they said the whole thing was evil. Of course, I'm not referring to everyone here, as some people were actually behaving rationally.
On the other hand, ESR doesn't seem to be taking the same stance he did at first on the license -- I could be wrong, but this is the first time I've seen him admitting that there could be something wrong with it. Even if this is true, he made a mistake, and it's not an irreversible one. Cut him a little slack
When writing to extremely open-minded people, flame can get results, but no matter who you write to the results are almost always better if you explain your position rationally (some people respond to neither, but that's not the point). Also, bear in mind that when you're the recipient, large amounts of flame can easily drown out the support you may have, and provide a picture that is a lot bleaker than the reality.
So... in conclusion, ESR is not perfect, but he is trying to do the right thing here. Keep that in mind before you get mad at him.
David
