[Linux4christians] The Moral foundation of software

[Don Parris]

---------- Original Message -------------
Subject: [Linux4christians] The Moral foundation of software
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 13:09:02 -0800 (PST)
From: jeremy and dana thompson <jcprotect at yahoo.com>
To: linux4christians at thelinuxlink.net


I am fairly new with Linux!  So, remember that, but I
am not new as in a novice christian.  Software in of
it's self can not be evil. Just like money isn't the
root of all evil, the love of money is evil.  The
person using software for evil gain is evil.  Not to
name any names ;-/   Free software is great and it
enables us to help others who cannot afford the
corporate programs.  As a youth minister,  I get to
use freeware to get into peoples homes to help them
with their computers to get to know them and spread
the gospel of Christ.  And "I" think that it is great
that Linux is free.  Unfortunatly, most beer is not!

=====

When you say "freeware", do you mean the proprietary software given away gratis?  Or are you referring to free (libre) software, which can be distributed either commercially or not?  You should see my recent response to Dave Peters' question.  It is important that we all get at least on the same shhet of music, even if not on the same bar.  There are many terms that need to be understood.  They need to be understood according to the definitions provided by the nice folks at FSF and OSI, if they are to be understood in their original context.  Many people still don't understand the basic terminology involved.  This is essential to our present debate.

Some suggested that, in order to put food on the table, they develop proprietary software.  Their arguments seem to ignore completely the notion that free software can be distributed commercially (for a fee).  This is one of the biggest objections to adopting free software.  Thus, the concept is either improperly understood, or intentionally ignored, depending on just how much homework a person has done.

Peace,
Don
-- 
DC Parris  GNU Evangelist
http://matheteuo.org/
evangelinux at matheteuo.org

Free software is like God's love - you can share it with anyone anywhere anytime!