Linuxandmain

[Kurt Wall]

Scribbling feverishly on May 28, Zoki managed to emit:
> I do not know what to think of the point of view concerning the RH patent
> (http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2002-05-26-002-26-PS-RH-LL) and
> patents in general as described by the "staff" of Linuxandmain
> http://www.linuxandmain.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=70

The staff of Linuxandmain can speak for themselves.

> I find it a strange point of view for a site that is Linux oriented and
> which apparently is very pro-software patents...

I find free software monotonality very strange. And tiresome, boorish, and
intellectually shallow. The proposition that someone who is pro-Linux
cannot also support, or at least be open to the discussion of, software
patents (which does not equate to "non-free software," by the way)
contravenes one of Linux's most basic themes: CHOICE. News flash: having
CHOICE means I can choose not to adopt the free software party line. 
 
> Any opinions?

Yes, I have *lots* of opinions; at least two on almost every issue. On the
subject of software patents, I oppose them as a general rule. However,
what constantly irritates me is the conclusion that "linux" must
necessarily imply "anti-patent." I'm desperately sick of people who insist
that I or others must toe the free software line. As it happens, I choose
to bet on free software, but I'm not going to demand that others do the
same; this is in sharp contrast to standard operating procedure over at
the Fascist^wFree Software Foundation.

Blessed be,

Kurt
-- 
One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to
do and always a clever thing to say.
		-- Will Durant