[Gllug] Ximian Connector

[Ben Wootton]

On Tuesday 29 Jul 2003 6:27 pm, Ian Norton wrote:
> if ximian were true free software folks (as gnome is supposed to be) then
> this should be free software!

I don't understand why what they chose to do is such a bad thing.  If they 
develop a purely proprietary piece of software, then they're free to license  
and charge for it in as they see fit, which I don't see as being against the 
free software philosophy at all.  If any money is made then great, it's 
likeley to add to the longevity of a free software supporting organisation.  

> i expect the licenses are modest in comparison to m$ but surely if this
> really is a outlook killer then ximian should push it freely!

Ximian are a company who are out to make money, not for the sole purpose of 
punishing Microsoft.  If they have a product with this massive potential to 
displace Outlook, then considering their motivations, in no way is it in 
their interests to give it away.  In lots (the majority?) of cases, OSS is 
the most attractive business model.  In this case, where the only value to 
them is in the secrets they have managed to reverse engineer, charging for, 
and distributing the connector in binary form (if this is what they've done?) 

This is why proprietary software will always exist.  The chance of making 
money will always be the *most effective* way to encourage innovation and r&d 
investment. 

Ben


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