Re: Building An Apple ][ Software Archive

[pausch@saafNOSPAM.se (Paul Schlyter)]

In article <39D425B5.ECA67205@inetnebr.com>,
Roy and/or Janet Miller  <millers@inetnebr.com> wrote:
 
> Jumping back in...
> 
> Arkain wrote:
> 
>> You and Paul seem to be having so much fun doing research on these terms
>> that I dare not deprive you of your fun. The truth is actually 1/2 way
>> between the 2 of you.
> 
> Ah, but Paul and Frank are at least quoting "authorities", your definitions seem
> to have no greater authority than that of your own opinion, and, as we here all
> know, there are plenty of others with differing opinions.
 
Fortunately it's not THAT chaotic!  So far, only two different
opinions about the meaning of the word "freeware" has popped up:
 
1. Freeware = all software which can be used free-of-charge
 
2. Freeware = only copyrighted software which can be used free-of-charge
 
 
>> Public Domain Software:
>> This is software that is not copyrighted by anyone.
> 
> More than that. Public domain means there are NO rights of any kind held by any
> individual (please remember that under law a corporation IS an individual) or
> group of individuals in reference to a work.
 
...which is precsiely what "not copyrighted" means.....
 
> Not just the right to copy.
 
A "copyright" isn't merely restrictions on the right to make verbatim
copies of the material.  It's also restrictions on the rights to
modify the material to use it for other purposes.  Please don't
interpret the "copy" in "copyright" too literally.
 
> If it is uncopyrighted, then it's public domain. Not uncopyrighted freeware.
 
"Public domain" and "uncopyrighted freeware" is the same thing.  Of
course the word "freeware" here is redundant, since uncopyrighted
stuff by definition is free of charge to use.
 
 
> Simply public domain. By combining the terms a confusion arises that is not
> helpful.
> 
> Public domain - copy it, fold it, spindle it, disassemble it, alter it, whatever
> you wish to do with it.
> 
> Freeware - you may copy it and distribute it, sometimes under certain
> conditions.
 
Then what do you call something you're allowed to copy, distribute,
disassemble, but not to e.g. try to sell as your own?  According to
you it's not public domain since you're not allowed to sell it as
your own, and it isn't freeware either since you are allowed to
disassemble it, and it's not shareware since it's free of charge.
Then what IS it ?????
 
As you can see, things can easily get quite complex here.  Wouldn't
it be simpler to just let "freeware" mean "all softare which can be
used free-of-charge"?
 
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Schlyter,  Swedish Amateur Astronomer's Society (SAAF)
Grev Turegatan 40,  S-114 38 Stockholm,  SWEDEN
e-mail:  pausch at saaf dot se   or    paul.schlyter at ausys dot se
WWW:     http://hotel04.ausys.se/pausch    http://welcome.to/pausch