[oclug] Good Point

[Gilles J. Seguin]

Trevor Curtis wrote:
> 
> > My view is that the term "Free software" is in opposition to
> > current understanding and view of the computer indutry and
> > marketing.
> >
> > Do you by a car for which the schematics are not available.
> 
> schematics != source code.

The point that we want to address is that we are buying a
engine.  This engine has both hardware and software which
must be documented, and more importantly, can not be
separated.  The microprocessor is a good example of
a sub-engine that is documented.

Both schematic for hardware and source code for software
are not de way to do it.

For example, even if the schematic for the original IBM PC
was available, It is not what the board designer want.
He want the electrical specification, how much delay this
edge must have to trigger another controlled one.

Software, in the same way, is a indication of what must be done.
But can result in bad specification of what is [not]allow
to be done.

> And Free Software encompases more than
> just having the source... but you can go to the gnu page to read
> about that. The main point is you can't make a copy of something
> physical yet... this is very easily done in software.
> 
> I really don't wish to make this a open source vs Free software
> thread because I believe more or less in both.  I just saw what
> appeared to be a misunderstanding that prehaps needed explaining.
> 
> later,