annotate man/gnu.texi @ 70232:a7c55a32db8b

*** empty log message ***
author Jason Rumney <jasonr@gnu.org>
date Wed, 26 Apr 2006 17:54:06 +0000
parents 601830ae280c
children 95f50a235a27 c156f6a9e7b5
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
rev   line source
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
64890
3723093a21fd Update years in copyright notice; nfc.
Thien-Thi Nguyen <ttn@gnuvola.org>
parents: 64244
diff changeset
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2004,
68639
dc2d5a6655a3 Update years in copyright notice; nfc.
Thien-Thi Nguyen <ttn@gnuvola.org>
parents: 65555
diff changeset
3 @c 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
4 @ifclear justgnu
69898
601830ae280c move MS-DOS material to emacs-xtra.texi
Karl Berry <karl@gnu.org>
parents: 69681
diff changeset
5 @node Manifesto,, Emacs and Microsoft Windows, Top
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
6 @unnumbered The GNU Manifesto
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
7 @end ifclear
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
8 @ifset justgnu
69681
11b616eddda4 @copyright{}, no indentation in @copying{}
Karl Berry <karl@gnu.org>
parents: 68639
diff changeset
9 Copyright @copyright{} 1985, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
11b616eddda4 @copyright{}, no indentation in @copying{}
Karl Berry <karl@gnu.org>
parents: 68639
diff changeset
10 2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
11
37404
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
12 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
65555
69b3598a61c5 Update all manuals to specify GFDL version 1.2.
Romain Francoise <romain@orebokech.com>
parents: 64890
diff changeset
13 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
37404
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
14 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
15 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
16 Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
17 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
18 License'' in the Emacs manual.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
19
37404
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
20 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
21 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
22 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
23
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
24 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
25 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
26 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
730f77edf073 Use GNU Free Documentation License.
Gerd Moellmann <gerd@gnu.org>
parents: 36168
diff changeset
27 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
28
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
29 @node Top
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
30 @top The GNU Manifesto
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
31 @end ifset
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
32
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
33 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
34 The GNU Manifesto which appears below was written by Richard Stallman at
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
35 the beginning of the GNU project, to ask for participation and support.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
36 For the first few years, it was updated in minor ways to account for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
37 developments, but now it seems best to leave it unchanged as most people
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
38 have seen it.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
39
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
40 Since that time, we have learned about certain common misunderstandings
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
41 that different wording could help avoid. Footnotes added in 1993 help
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
42 clarify these points.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
43
64144
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
44 For up-to-date information about the available GNU software, please
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
45 see @uref{http://www.gnu.org}. For software tasks to work on, see
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
46 @uref{http://savannah.gnu.org/projects/tasklist}. For other ways to
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
47 contribute, see @uref{http://www.gnu.org/help}.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
48 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
49
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
50 @unnumberedsec What's GNU? Gnu's Not Unix!
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
51
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
52 GNU, which stands for Gnu's Not Unix, is the name for the complete
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
53 Unix-compatible software system which I am writing so that I can give it
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
54 away free to everyone who can use it.@footnote{The wording here was
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
55 careless. The intention was that nobody would have to pay for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
56 @emph{permission} to use the GNU system. But the words don't make this
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
57 clear, and people often interpret them as saying that copies of GNU
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
58 should always be distributed at little or no charge. That was never the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
59 intent; later on, the manifesto mentions the possibility of companies
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
60 providing the service of distribution for a profit. Subsequently I have
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
61 learned to distinguish carefully between ``free'' in the sense of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
62 freedom and ``free'' in the sense of price. Free software is software
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
63 that users have the freedom to distribute and change. Some users may
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
64 obtain copies at no charge, while others pay to obtain copies---and if
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
65 the funds help support improving the software, so much the better. The
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
66 important thing is that everyone who has a copy has the freedom to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
67 cooperate with others in using it.} Several other volunteers are helping
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
68 me. Contributions of time, money, programs and equipment are greatly
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
69 needed.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
70
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
71 So far we have an Emacs text editor with Lisp for writing editor commands,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
72 a source level debugger, a yacc-compatible parser generator, a linker, and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
73 around 35 utilities. A shell (command interpreter) is nearly completed. A
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
74 new portable optimizing C compiler has compiled itself and may be released
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
75 this year. An initial kernel exists but many more features are needed to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
76 emulate Unix. When the kernel and compiler are finished, it will be
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
77 possible to distribute a GNU system suitable for program development. We
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
78 will use @TeX{} as our text formatter, but an nroff is being worked on. We
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
79 will use the free, portable X window system as well. After this we will
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
80 add a portable Common Lisp, an Empire game, a spreadsheet, and hundreds of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
81 other things, plus on-line documentation. We hope to supply, eventually,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
82 everything useful that normally comes with a Unix system, and more.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
83
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
84 GNU will be able to run Unix programs, but will not be identical to Unix.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
85 We will make all improvements that are convenient, based on our experience
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
86 with other operating systems. In particular, we plan to have longer
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
87 file names, file version numbers, a crashproof file system, file name
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
88 completion perhaps, terminal-independent display support, and perhaps
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
89 eventually a Lisp-based window system through which several Lisp programs
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
90 and ordinary Unix programs can share a screen. Both C and Lisp will be
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
91 available as system programming languages. We will try to support UUCP,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
92 MIT Chaosnet, and Internet protocols for communication.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
93
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
94 GNU is aimed initially at machines in the 68000/16000 class with virtual
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
95 memory, because they are the easiest machines to make it run on. The extra
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
96 effort to make it run on smaller machines will be left to someone who wants
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
97 to use it on them.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
98
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
99 To avoid horrible confusion, please pronounce the `G' in the word `GNU'
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
100 when it is the name of this project.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
101
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
102 @unnumberedsec Why I Must Write GNU
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
103
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
104 I consider that the golden rule requires that if I like a program I must
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
105 share it with other people who like it. Software sellers want to divide
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
106 the users and conquer them, making each user agree not to share with
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
107 others. I refuse to break solidarity with other users in this way. I
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
108 cannot in good conscience sign a nondisclosure agreement or a software
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
109 license agreement. For years I worked within the Artificial Intelligence
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
110 Lab to resist such tendencies and other inhospitalities, but eventually
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
111 they had gone too far: I could not remain in an institution where such
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
112 things are done for me against my will.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
113
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
114 So that I can continue to use computers without dishonor, I have decided to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
115 put together a sufficient body of free software so that I will be able to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
116 get along without any software that is not free. I have resigned from the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
117 AI lab to deny MIT any legal excuse to prevent me from giving GNU away.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
118
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
119 @unnumberedsec Why GNU Will Be Compatible with Unix
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
120
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
121 Unix is not my ideal system, but it is not too bad. The essential features
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
122 of Unix seem to be good ones, and I think I can fill in what Unix lacks
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
123 without spoiling them. And a system compatible with Unix would be
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
124 convenient for many other people to adopt.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
125
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
126 @unnumberedsec How GNU Will Be Available
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
127
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
128 GNU is not in the public domain. Everyone will be permitted to modify and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
129 redistribute GNU, but no distributor will be allowed to restrict its
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
130 further redistribution. That is to say, proprietary modifications will not
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
131 be allowed. I want to make sure that all versions of GNU remain free.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
132
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
133 @unnumberedsec Why Many Other Programmers Want to Help
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
134
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
135 I have found many other programmers who are excited about GNU and want to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
136 help.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
137
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
138 Many programmers are unhappy about the commercialization of system
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
139 software. It may enable them to make more money, but it requires them to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
140 feel in conflict with other programmers in general rather than feel as
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
141 comrades. The fundamental act of friendship among programmers is the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
142 sharing of programs; marketing arrangements now typically used essentially
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
143 forbid programmers to treat others as friends. The purchaser of software
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
144 must choose between friendship and obeying the law. Naturally, many decide
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
145 that friendship is more important. But those who believe in law often do
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
146 not feel at ease with either choice. They become cynical and think that
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
147 programming is just a way of making money.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
148
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
149 By working on and using GNU rather than proprietary programs, we can be
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
150 hospitable to everyone and obey the law. In addition, GNU serves as an
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
151 example to inspire and a banner to rally others to join us in sharing.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
152 This can give us a feeling of harmony which is impossible if we use
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
153 software that is not free. For about half the programmers I talk to, this
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
154 is an important happiness that money cannot replace.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
155
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
156 @unnumberedsec How You Can Contribute
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
157
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
158 I am asking computer manufacturers for donations of machines and money.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
159 I'm asking individuals for donations of programs and work.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
160
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
161 One consequence you can expect if you donate machines is that GNU will run
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
162 on them at an early date. The machines should be complete, ready to use
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
163 systems, approved for use in a residential area, and not in need of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
164 sophisticated cooling or power.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
165
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
166 I have found very many programmers eager to contribute part-time work for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
167 GNU. For most projects, such part-time distributed work would be very hard
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
168 to coordinate; the independently-written parts would not work together.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
169 But for the particular task of replacing Unix, this problem is absent. A
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
170 complete Unix system contains hundreds of utility programs, each of which
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
171 is documented separately. Most interface specifications are fixed by Unix
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
172 compatibility. If each contributor can write a compatible replacement for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
173 a single Unix utility, and make it work properly in place of the original
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
174 on a Unix system, then these utilities will work right when put together.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
175 Even allowing for Murphy to create a few unexpected problems, assembling
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
176 these components will be a feasible task. (The kernel will require closer
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
177 communication and will be worked on by a small, tight group.)
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
178
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
179 If I get donations of money, I may be able to hire a few people full or
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
180 part time. The salary won't be high by programmers' standards, but I'm
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
181 looking for people for whom building community spirit is as important as
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
182 making money. I view this as a way of enabling dedicated people to devote
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
183 their full energies to working on GNU by sparing them the need to make a
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
184 living in another way.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
185
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
186 @unnumberedsec Why All Computer Users Will Benefit
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
187
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
188 Once GNU is written, everyone will be able to obtain good system
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
189 software free, just like air.@footnote{This is another place I failed to
36168
df827c1def99 Clean up close-quote punctuation.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 25829
diff changeset
190 distinguish carefully between the two different meanings of ``free.''
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
191 The statement as it stands is not false---you can get copies of GNU
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
192 software at no charge, from your friends or over the net. But it does
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
193 suggest the wrong idea.}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
194
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
195 This means much more than just saving everyone the price of a Unix license.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
196 It means that much wasteful duplication of system programming effort will
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
197 be avoided. This effort can go instead into advancing the state of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
198 art.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
199
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
200 Complete system sources will be available to everyone. As a result, a user
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
201 who needs changes in the system will always be free to make them himself,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
202 or hire any available programmer or company to make them for him. Users
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
203 will no longer be at the mercy of one programmer or company which owns the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
204 sources and is in sole position to make changes.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
205
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
206 Schools will be able to provide a much more educational environment by
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
207 encouraging all students to study and improve the system code. Harvard's
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
208 computer lab used to have the policy that no program could be installed on
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
209 the system if its sources were not on public display, and upheld it by
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
210 actually refusing to install certain programs. I was very much inspired by
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
211 this.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
212
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
213 Finally, the overhead of considering who owns the system software and what
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
214 one is or is not entitled to do with it will be lifted.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
215
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
216 Arrangements to make people pay for using a program, including licensing of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
217 copies, always incur a tremendous cost to society through the cumbersome
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
218 mechanisms necessary to figure out how much (that is, which programs) a
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
219 person must pay for. And only a police state can force everyone to obey
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
220 them. Consider a space station where air must be manufactured at great
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
221 cost: charging each breather per liter of air may be fair, but wearing the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
222 metered gas mask all day and all night is intolerable even if everyone can
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
223 afford to pay the air bill. And the TV cameras everywhere to see if you
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
224 ever take the mask off are outrageous. It's better to support the air
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
225 plant with a head tax and chuck the masks.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
226
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
227 Copying all or parts of a program is as natural to a programmer as
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
228 breathing, and as productive. It ought to be as free.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
229
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
230 @unnumberedsec Some Easily Rebutted Objections to GNU's Goals
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
231
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
232 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
233 ``Nobody will use it if it is free, because that means they can't rely
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
234 on any support.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
235
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
236 ``You have to charge for the program to pay for providing the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
237 support.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
238 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
239
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
240 If people would rather pay for GNU plus service than get GNU free without
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
241 service, a company to provide just service to people who have obtained GNU
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
242 free ought to be profitable.@footnote{Several such companies now exist.}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
243
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
244 We must distinguish between support in the form of real programming work
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
245 and mere handholding. The former is something one cannot rely on from a
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
246 software vendor. If your problem is not shared by enough people, the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
247 vendor will tell you to get lost.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
248
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
249 If your business needs to be able to rely on support, the only way is to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
250 have all the necessary sources and tools. Then you can hire any available
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
251 person to fix your problem; you are not at the mercy of any individual.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
252 With Unix, the price of sources puts this out of consideration for most
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
253 businesses. With GNU this will be easy. It is still possible for there to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
254 be no available competent person, but this problem cannot be blamed on
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
255 distribution arrangements. GNU does not eliminate all the world's problems,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
256 only some of them.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
257
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
258 Meanwhile, the users who know nothing about computers need handholding:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
259 doing things for them which they could easily do themselves but don't know
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
260 how.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
261
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
262 Such services could be provided by companies that sell just hand-holding
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
263 and repair service. If it is true that users would rather spend money and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
264 get a product with service, they will also be willing to buy the service
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
265 having got the product free. The service companies will compete in quality
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
266 and price; users will not be tied to any particular one. Meanwhile, those
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
267 of us who don't need the service should be able to use the program without
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
268 paying for the service.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
269
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
270 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
271 ``You cannot reach many people without advertising,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
272 and you must charge for the program to support that.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
273
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
274 ``It's no use advertising a program people can get free.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
275 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
276
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
277 There are various forms of free or very cheap publicity that can be used to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
278 inform numbers of computer users about something like GNU. But it may be
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
279 true that one can reach more microcomputer users with advertising. If this
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
280 is really so, a business which advertises the service of copying and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
281 mailing GNU for a fee ought to be successful enough to pay for its
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
282 advertising and more. This way, only the users who benefit from the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
283 advertising pay for it.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
284
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
285 On the other hand, if many people get GNU from their friends, and such
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
286 companies don't succeed, this will show that advertising was not really
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
287 necessary to spread GNU. Why is it that free market advocates don't
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
288 want to let the free market decide this?@footnote{The Free Software
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
289 Foundation raises most of its funds from a distribution service,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
290 although it is a charity rather than a company. If @emph{no one}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
291 chooses to obtain copies by ordering from the FSF, it will be unable
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
292 to do its work. But this does not mean that proprietary restrictions
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
293 are justified to force every user to pay. If a small fraction of all
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
294 the users order copies from the FSF, that is sufficient to keep the FSF
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
295 afloat. So we ask users to choose to support us in this way. Have you
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
296 done your part?}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
297
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
298 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
299 ``My company needs a proprietary operating system
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
300 to get a competitive edge.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
301 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
302
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
303 GNU will remove operating system software from the realm of competition.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
304 You will not be able to get an edge in this area, but neither will your
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
305 competitors be able to get an edge over you. You and they will compete in
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
306 other areas, while benefiting mutually in this one. If your business is
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
307 selling an operating system, you will not like GNU, but that's tough on
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
308 you. If your business is something else, GNU can save you from being
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
309 pushed into the expensive business of selling operating systems.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
310
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
311 I would like to see GNU development supported by gifts from many
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
312 manufacturers and users, reducing the cost to each.@footnote{A group of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
313 computer companies recently pooled funds to support maintenance of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
314 GNU C Compiler.}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
315
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
316 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
317 ``Don't programmers deserve a reward for their creativity?''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
318 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
319
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
320 If anything deserves a reward, it is social contribution. Creativity can
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
321 be a social contribution, but only in so far as society is free to use the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
322 results. If programmers deserve to be rewarded for creating innovative
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
323 programs, by the same token they deserve to be punished if they restrict
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
324 the use of these programs.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
325
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
326 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
327 ``Shouldn't a programmer be able to ask for a reward for his creativity?''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
328 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
329
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
330 There is nothing wrong with wanting pay for work, or seeking to maximize
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
331 one's income, as long as one does not use means that are destructive. But
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
332 the means customary in the field of software today are based on
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
333 destruction.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
334
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
335 Extracting money from users of a program by restricting their use of it is
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
336 destructive because the restrictions reduce the amount and the ways that
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
337 the program can be used. This reduces the amount of wealth that humanity
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
338 derives from the program. When there is a deliberate choice to restrict,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
339 the harmful consequences are deliberate destruction.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
340
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
341 The reason a good citizen does not use such destructive means to become
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
342 wealthier is that, if everyone did so, we would all become poorer from the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
343 mutual destructiveness. This is Kantian ethics; or, the Golden Rule.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
344 Since I do not like the consequences that result if everyone hoards
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
345 information, I am required to consider it wrong for one to do so.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
346 Specifically, the desire to be rewarded for one's creativity does not
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
347 justify depriving the world in general of all or part of that creativity.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
348
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
349 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
350 ``Won't programmers starve?''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
351 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
352
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
353 I could answer that nobody is forced to be a programmer. Most of us cannot
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
354 manage to get any money for standing on the street and making faces. But
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
355 we are not, as a result, condemned to spend our lives standing on the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
356 street making faces, and starving. We do something else.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
357
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
358 But that is the wrong answer because it accepts the questioner's implicit
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
359 assumption: that without ownership of software, programmers cannot possibly
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
360 be paid a cent. Supposedly it is all or nothing.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
361
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
362 The real reason programmers will not starve is that it will still be
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
363 possible for them to get paid for programming; just not paid as much as
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
364 now.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
365
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
366 Restricting copying is not the only basis for business in software. It is
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
367 the most common basis because it brings in the most money. If it were
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
368 prohibited, or rejected by the customer, software business would move to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
369 other bases of organization which are now used less often. There are
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
370 always numerous ways to organize any kind of business.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
371
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
372 Probably programming will not be as lucrative on the new basis as it is
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
373 now. But that is not an argument against the change. It is not considered
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
374 an injustice that sales clerks make the salaries that they now do. If
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
375 programmers made the same, that would not be an injustice either. (In
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
376 practice they would still make considerably more than that.)
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
377
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
378 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
379 ``Don't people have a right to control how their creativity is used?''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
380 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
381
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
382 ``Control over the use of one's ideas'' really constitutes control over
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
383 other people's lives; and it is usually used to make their lives more
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
384 difficult.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
385
64144
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
386 People who have studied the issue of intellectual property
64244
118ee9a8f53a Fix typos.
Juri Linkov <juri@jurta.org>
parents: 64144
diff changeset
387 rights@footnote{In the 80s I had not yet realized how confusing it was
64144
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
388 to speak of ``the issue'' of ``intellectual property.'' That term is
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
389 obviously biased; more subtle is the fact that it lumps together
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
390 various disparate laws which raise very different issues. Nowadays I
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
391 urge people to reject the term ``intellectual property'' entirely,
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
392 lest it lead others to suppose that those laws form one coherent
64244
118ee9a8f53a Fix typos.
Juri Linkov <juri@jurta.org>
parents: 64144
diff changeset
393 issue. The way to be clear is to discuss patents, copyrights, and
64144
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
394 trademarks separately. See
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
395 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.xhtml} for more
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
396 explanation of how this term spreads confusion and bias.} carefully
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
397 (such as lawyers) say that there is no intrinsic right to intellectual
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
398 property. The kinds of supposed intellectual property rights that the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
399 government recognizes were created by specific acts of legislation for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
400 specific purposes.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
401
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
402 For example, the patent system was established to encourage inventors to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
403 disclose the details of their inventions. Its purpose was to help society
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
404 rather than to help inventors. At the time, the life span of 17 years for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
405 a patent was short compared with the rate of advance of the state of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
406 art. Since patents are an issue only among manufacturers, for whom the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
407 cost and effort of a license agreement are small compared with setting up
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
408 production, the patents often do not do much harm. They do not obstruct
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
409 most individuals who use patented products.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
410
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
411 The idea of copyright did not exist in ancient times, when authors
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
412 frequently copied other authors at length in works of non-fiction. This
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
413 practice was useful, and is the only way many authors' works have survived
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
414 even in part. The copyright system was created expressly for the purpose
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
415 of encouraging authorship. In the domain for which it was
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
416 invented---books, which could be copied economically only on a printing
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
417 press---it did little harm, and did not obstruct most of the individuals
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
418 who read the books.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
419
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
420 All intellectual property rights are just licenses granted by society
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
421 because it was thought, rightly or wrongly, that society as a whole would
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
422 benefit by granting them. But in any particular situation, we have to ask:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
423 are we really better off granting such license? What kind of act are we
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
424 licensing a person to do?
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
425
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
426 The case of programs today is very different from that of books a hundred
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
427 years ago. The fact that the easiest way to copy a program is from one
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
428 neighbor to another, the fact that a program has both source code and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
429 object code which are distinct, and the fact that a program is used rather
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
430 than read and enjoyed, combine to create a situation in which a person who
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
431 enforces a copyright is harming society as a whole both materially and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
432 spiritually; in which a person should not do so regardless of whether the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
433 law enables him to.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
434
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
435 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
436 ``Competition makes things get done better.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
437 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
438
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
439 The paradigm of competition is a race: by rewarding the winner, we
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
440 encourage everyone to run faster. When capitalism really works this way,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
441 it does a good job; but its defenders are wrong in assuming it always works
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
442 this way. If the runners forget why the reward is offered and become
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
443 intent on winning, no matter how, they may find other strategies---such as,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
444 attacking other runners. If the runners get into a fist fight, they will
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
445 all finish late.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
446
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
447 Proprietary and secret software is the moral equivalent of runners in a
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
448 fist fight. Sad to say, the only referee we've got does not seem to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
449 object to fights; he just regulates them (``For every ten yards you run,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
450 you can fire one shot''). He really ought to break them up, and penalize
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
451 runners for even trying to fight.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
452
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
453 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
454 ``Won't everyone stop programming without a monetary incentive?''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
455 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
456
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
457 Actually, many people will program with absolutely no monetary incentive.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
458 Programming has an irresistible fascination for some people, usually the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
459 people who are best at it. There is no shortage of professional musicians
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
460 who keep at it even though they have no hope of making a living that way.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
461
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
462 But really this question, though commonly asked, is not appropriate to the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
463 situation. Pay for programmers will not disappear, only become less. So
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
464 the right question is, will anyone program with a reduced monetary
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
465 incentive? My experience shows that they will.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
466
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
467 For more than ten years, many of the world's best programmers worked at the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
468 Artificial Intelligence Lab for far less money than they could have had
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
469 anywhere else. They got many kinds of non-monetary rewards: fame and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
470 appreciation, for example. And creativity is also fun, a reward in itself.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
471
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
472 Then most of them left when offered a chance to do the same interesting
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
473 work for a lot of money.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
474
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
475 What the facts show is that people will program for reasons other than
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
476 riches; but if given a chance to make a lot of money as well, they will
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
477 come to expect and demand it. Low-paying organizations do poorly in
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
478 competition with high-paying ones, but they do not have to do badly if the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
479 high-paying ones are banned.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
480
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
481 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
482 ``We need the programmers desperately. If they demand that we
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
483 stop helping our neighbors, we have to obey.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
484 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
485
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
486 You're never so desperate that you have to obey this sort of demand.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
487 Remember: millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute!
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
488
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
489 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
490 ``Programmers need to make a living somehow.''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
491 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
492
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
493 In the short run, this is true. However, there are plenty of ways that
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
494 programmers could make a living without selling the right to use a program.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
495 This way is customary now because it brings programmers and businessmen the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
496 most money, not because it is the only way to make a living. It is easy to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
497 find other ways if you want to find them. Here are a number of examples.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
498
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
499 A manufacturer introducing a new computer will pay for the porting of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
500 operating systems onto the new hardware.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
501
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
502 The sale of teaching, hand-holding and maintenance services could also
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
503 employ programmers.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
504
64144
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
505 People with new ideas could distribute programs as
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
506 freeware@footnote{Subsequently we have learned to distinguish between
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
507 "free software" and "freeware". The term "freeware" means software
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
508 you are free to redistribute, but usually you are not free to study
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
509 and change the source code, so most of it is not free software. See
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
510 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html} for more
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
511 explanation.}, asking for donations from satisfied users, or selling
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
512 hand-holding services. I have met people who are already working this
1782f42ba3e2 Update where to get GNU status; add refs for how to help.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 52401
diff changeset
513 way successfully.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
514
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
515 Users with related needs can form users' groups, and pay dues. A group
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
516 would contract with programming companies to write programs that the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
517 group's members would like to use.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
518
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
519 All sorts of development can be funded with a Software Tax:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
520
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
521 @quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
522 Suppose everyone who buys a computer has to pay x percent of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
523 the price as a software tax. The government gives this to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
524 an agency like the NSF to spend on software development.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
525
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
526 But if the computer buyer makes a donation to software development
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
527 himself, he can take a credit against the tax. He can donate to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
528 the project of his own choosing---often, chosen because he hopes to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
529 use the results when it is done. He can take a credit for any amount
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
530 of donation up to the total tax he had to pay.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
531
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
532 The total tax rate could be decided by a vote of the payers of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
533 the tax, weighted according to the amount they will be taxed on.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
534
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
535 The consequences:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
536
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
537 @itemize @bullet
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
538 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
539 The computer-using community supports software development.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
540 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
541 This community decides what level of support is needed.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
542 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
543 Users who care which projects their share is spent on
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
544 can choose this for themselves.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
545 @end itemize
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
546 @end quotation
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
547
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
548 In the long run, making programs free is a step toward the post-scarcity
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
549 world, where nobody will have to work very hard just to make a living.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
550 People will be free to devote themselves to activities that are fun, such
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
551 as programming, after spending the necessary ten hours a week on required
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
552 tasks such as legislation, family counseling, robot repair and asteroid
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
553 prospecting. There will be no need to be able to make a living from
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
554 programming.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
555
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
556 We have already greatly reduced the amount of work that the whole society
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
557 must do for its actual productivity, but only a little of this has
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
558 translated itself into leisure for workers because much nonproductive
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
559 activity is required to accompany productive activity. The main causes of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
560 this are bureaucracy and isometric struggles against competition. Free
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
561 software will greatly reduce these drains in the area of software
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
562 production. We must do this, in order for technical gains in productivity
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
563 to translate into less work for us.
52401
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 37404
diff changeset
564
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 37404
diff changeset
565 @ignore
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 37404
diff changeset
566 arch-tag: 21eb38f8-6fa0-480a-91cd-f3dab7148542
695cf19ef79e Add arch taglines
Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org>
parents: 37404
diff changeset
567 @end ignore