[gnugo-devel] FSF

[Eric]

--- Dave Denholm <address@hidden> wrote:

> To be more explicit, *I* have spent
> time developing gnugo,
> and I would object to you selling a system which is
> includes some of
> *my* work.
> 
> You say you don't want to give away your code that
> has taken 6 years
> to develop, but if you were to sell a system that
> included gnugo, you
> would be stealing code "worth" probably as much as
> that.

I totally understood what you meant, Dave. But my
previous reply was not clear. Sorry about that.

What I meant by *left field* is that I never mentioned
nor implied that I was interested in marketing a
Go-playing program.

In fact, I specifically maintained the name GNU Go
when I stated that my goal was to "make GNU Go work".

My specialty is AI Planning systems. And to tell you
the truth, I haven't even given much thought to
marketing my planner! My mother teases that the only
reason I'm still working on it is because I secretly
want to still be in college, instead of growing up and
participating in the real world.

I am unemployed, and have been classified "totally and
permanently disabled" by the U.S. Dept. of Social
Security. In simple terms, it means that I am not
physically able to work. I have a computer and a dog.
When I get bored, I work on my computer. When I get
tired of working on my computer, I take my dog to play
and swim at the park. Thats my life, and I am very
happy with it. There is no pressure, and no demands.

It's funny because a total stranger drove his car up
to the park bench where I was sitting one day just to
say that if he was asked the definition of 'peace', he
would provide a picture of me. I still feel a little
guilty about that. It doesnt really seem fair that
others have to work for a living, but what can I do
about it?

I went to GNU to find a Go-playing program simply
because, well, I always go to GNU when I want
software. I have always admired the concept of FSF
(and I have always hated that Bill Gates is allowed to
rape people).

But I think what has escaped this entire discussion is
that FSF is just as much about the honor system, as it
is about the law. I mean, come on, let's be serious
here for a minute: the source code is there!

If someone is not contributing to FSF in a
good-natured way, i.e. if he doesnt believe that most
people are honest, then he's going to be a very
miserable individual.

FSF is all about philanthropy. When you give money
away to charity, do you trust that the money will be
used properly? What if it's not? How would you know?
Does this uncertainty prevent you from giving? Why are
you giving in the first place?

I would think that part of the reason to give to
charity is to feel better about yourself as a human
being. Well, if you are paranoid that your gift has
been stolen, then you defeat that purpose. You feel
bad. What is the point in that?