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Feedback from German WSIS list and Loic 

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greve 2003-10-23 11:03:30 +00:00
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@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ published January 1989. In particular, four freedoms define<A NAME="tex2html3"
programming languages that have multiple forms or representation
- making the preferred human way of comprehending and editing a
program (``source code'') inaccessible also makes it
proprietary. Without the freedom to modify a program, people will
proprietary (non-free). Without the freedom to modify a program, people will
remain at the mercy of a single vendor.</em>
</li><br />
@ -89,14 +89,15 @@ use of all of them. In particular, it should be understood that Free
Software does not exclude commercial use. If a program fails to allow
commercial use and commercial distribution, it is not Free
Software. Indeed a growing number of companies base their business
model completely or at least partially on Free Software. Free Software
makes it legal to provide help and assistance, it does not make it
model completely or at least partially on Free Software, including
some of the largest proprietary software vendors. Free Software makes
it legal to provide help and assistance, it does not make it
mandatory.</p>
<br />
<h3>Terminology</h3>
<p>English seems to be the only language in which
an ambiguity exists between freedom and price. When translated into
<p>English seems to be the only language in which such a strong
ambiguity exists between freedom and price. When translated into
other languages, Free Software becomes ``logiciels libre'' in French,
``software libre'' in Spanish, ``software libero'' in Portugese, ``Fri
Software'' in Danish or whatever is the equivalent term in the local
@ -145,17 +146,17 @@ be seen as an encompassing concept for a reliable, sustainable and
dependable information and knowledge society involving all
stakeholders.</p>
<p>The price we are paying for the predominance of the proprietary software
approach is high. Because monopolies are an almost inevitable result of
the proprietary software paradigm<A NAME="tex2html8"
HREF="#foot35"><SUP>5</SUP></A> and software
permeates all areas of economy, northern economies suffer and southern
countries are given the choice between exclusion or co-suffering in
total dependence. That is why breaking up Microsoft without a change in
paradigm would not improve the situation significantly. Free Software,
on the other hand, brings back competition while allowing cooperation
among companies, people, and governments. All of these equally available
and empowering to all the peoples.</p>
<p>The price we are paying for the predominance of the proprietary
software approach is high. Because the proprietary software paradigm
has a strong, system-inherent monopolizing tendency<A NAME="tex2html8"
HREF="#foot35"><SUP>5</SUP></A> and software permeates all areas of
economy, northern economies suffer and southern countries are given
the choice between exclusion or co-suffering in total dependence. That
is why breaking up Microsoft without a change in paradigm would not
improve the situation significantly. Free Software, on the other hand,
brings back competition while allowing cooperation among companies,
people, and governments. All of these equally available and empowering
to all the peoples.</p>
<p>While minorities remain at the mercy of large multinational companies
regarding support for their culture and language when using proprietary
@ -288,7 +289,7 @@ of Windows sourcecode in special Microsoft facilities. This may increase
not even know whether what they looked at is what they have on their
computers. And of course it does not give them freedom.<br />
<DT /><A NAME="foot35">... paradigm</A><A NAME="foot35"
<DT /><A NAME="foot35">... tendency</A><A NAME="foot35"
HREF="#tex2html8"><SUP>5</SUP></A>
<DD />Explanation of these
mechanisms will gladly be provided, if of interest.<br />
@ -324,7 +325,7 @@ experts.'' (Merriam Webster Dictionary)<br />
<DIV ALIGN="LEFT">
<TT>
<FONT SIZE="-1"> Date: 2003/10/20 15:50:19 Revision: 1.4 </FONT>
<FONT SIZE="-1"> Date: 2003/10/23 11:01:16 Revision: 1.5 </FONT>
</TT>
</DIV>