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diff --git a/talermerchantdemos/blog/articles/en/why-programs-should-be-shared.html b/talermerchantdemos/blog/articles/en/why-programs-should-be-shared.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3991476 --- /dev/null +++ b/talermerchantdemos/blog/articles/en/why-programs-should-be-shared.html @@ -0,0 +1,126 @@ +<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" --> +<!-- Parent-Version: 1.79 --> +<title>Why Programs Should be Shared +- GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title> + <!--#include virtual="/gnu/po/why-programs-should-be-shared.translist" --> +<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" --> +<h2>Why Programs Should be Shared</h2> + +<p><strong>by <a href="http://www.stallman.org/">Richard Stallman</a></strong></p> + + <blockquote> + <p>Richard Stallman wrote this text, which was found in a file dated May + 1983, though it is not clear whether it was written then or earlier. + In May 1983 he was privately considering plans to develop a + free operating system, but he may not yet have decided to make it a + Unix-like system rather than something like the MIT Lisp Machine.</p> + + <p>He had not yet conceptually distinguished the two meanings of + “free;” this message is formulated in terms of gratis + copies, but take for granted that this means users also have freedom.</p> + </blockquote> + +<p>Five years ago one could take for granted that any useful program +written at SAIL, MIT, CMU, etc. would be shared. Since then, these +universities have started acting just like software houses—everything +useful will be sold for an arm and a leg (usually after being written +at gov't expense).</p> + +<p>People find all sorts of excuses why it's harmful to give away +software. These supposed problems never bothered us back when we +<em>wanted</em> to share, and haven't affected EMACS, so I suspect they are +bogus.</p> + +<p>For example, people say that companies will “steal” it +and sell it. If so, that would be no worse than Stanford selling it! +At least people would have the choice of getting a free copy. Users +want to buy maintained software? Then let people sell service +contracts—but give the software itself free.</p> + +<p>I think I can dispose of any reasons you may think exist +for not sharing software. But more important is the reason +why we <em>should</em> share:</p> + +<p>We would get more done with the same amount of work, if +artificial obstacles were removed. And we would feel +more in harmony with everyone else.</p> + +<p>Sharing software is the form that scientific cooperation +takes in the field of computer science. Universities used +to defend the principle of scientific cooperation. +Is it right for them to throw it over for profit?</p> + +<p>Should we let them?</p> + +<p>Right now graduate students here are working on programming +projects that are specifically intended for sale. But if +we create a climate of opinion like that of five years ago, +the university wouldn't dare to do this. And if you start +sharing, other people might start sharing with you.</p> + +<p>So let's start sharing again.</p> + +</div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above --> +<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> +<div id="footer"> +<div class="unprintable"> + +<p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to +<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. +There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a> +the FSF. 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