[Fsf-friends] Continuation....of Basics......

Ramanraj K ramanraj@md4.vsnl.net.in
Sat Sep 25 06:28:09 IST 2004


Sandip Bhattacharya wrote:
> Ramanraj K wrote:
> 
>>
>> "Open Source Initiative" is after all a marketing program for Free 
>> Software. The OSI says it, we know it, and everybody but legislatures 
>> seem to know it.  Its time you knew about it.
> 
> 
> Thanks for explaining the obvious to me. :)
> 
> Lets get some terminology correct, shall we? "Open Source Initiative" is 
> a marketing program for _Open source_ Software. You still dont seem to 
> get my point in this whole thread. My whole point is that be consistent 
> of the terminology that you use.
> 
> And yes, do explain to me: When the "Opensource Initiative" promotes 
> their "brand" of software, you put it down as "marketing". But when FSF 
> does it, it is "taking it to the people"?

http://www.opensource.org/advocacy/faq.php
<quote>
How is "open source" related to "free software"?

The Open Source Initiative is a marketing program for free software. 
It's a pitch for "free software" on solid pragmatic grounds rather than 
ideological tub-thumping. The winning substance has not changed, the 
losing attitude and symbolism have. See the discussion of marketing for 
hackers for more.
</quote>


http://www.opensource.org/advocacy/case_for_hackers.php
<quote>
But the real reason for the re-labeling is a marketing one. We're trying 
to pitch our concept to the corporate world now. We have a winning 
product, but our positioning, in the past, has been awful. The term 
"free software" has been misunderstood by business persons, who mistake 
the desire to share with anti-commercialism — or worse, theft.

Mainstream corporate CEOs and CTOs will never buy "free software." But 
if we take the very same tradition, the same people, and the same 
free-software licenses and change the label to "open source" — that, 
experience has proven they will buy.
</quote>

All this is fine for businesses, but not appropriate at all places.

> P.S. I still dont get your repeated requests for respect in every mail. 
> What do you want me to do exactly for you? :-S

Just avoid calling people "ignorant" etc. If you think yourself 
knowledgeable, please tell us why and how plainly and directly.

> 
> P.S2. Regardless of any further provocation or name-calling in this 
> thread, this is my last mail on the subject.

If you would like to have the last word on a subject, please finish with 
  content that makes sense.





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