Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on August 15, 2006 01:37 AM
That's the thing...They can't. They're trying to put "idealistic" (ineffectual) nonsense in their version of GPL.
Fair use, etc of software is one thing, to say you can't use software for offensive operations is sending a political message via open-source. Its not gonna work. (ie: wasting time)
At best, people won't take this seriously. (No doubt Iran, China, North Korea would laugh at such a notion.)
So its fine to use it as part of a anti-missile solution that prevents an inbound ballistic threat hitting its target...But what if its used in a weapon to conduct a pre-emptive strike on a target that just happens to be a ballistic missile on the ground, which is being fueled, and getting ready to launch? (weapon is used offensively in a mission to defend a nation from a potential threat).
Its not gonna stop a terrorist with computing skills, is it? They ain't gonna stop half way in their operations and say: "We can't continue, because this version of the GPL says we can use the software in this weapon for offensive operations!"...The other terrorist will pull out a gun, shoot the first terrorist, then laugh, while they continue with the operation.
The point is: If you're against war, fine...But trying to put your beliefs or views into something like GPL, isn't gonna stop the next one. Its as useful as that time in Australia...Where a few hundred Aussie woman protested about the 2nd Iraq war...By parading butt naked in some park!
Protesting, Petitions and putting idealistic nonsense into something completely irrelevant is NOT gonna stop future conflicts. Finding ways for everyone to understand and live with each other is.
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Re:And how do you supposed to enforce it?
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on August 15, 2006 01:37 AMThey're trying to put "idealistic" (ineffectual) nonsense in their version of GPL.
Fair use, etc of software is one thing, to say you can't use software for offensive operations is sending a political message via open-source. Its not gonna work. (ie: wasting time)
At best, people won't take this seriously. (No doubt Iran, China, North Korea would laugh at such a notion.)
So its fine to use it as part of a anti-missile solution that prevents an inbound ballistic threat hitting its target...But what if its used in a weapon to conduct a pre-emptive strike on a target that just happens to be a ballistic missile on the ground, which is being fueled, and getting ready to launch? (weapon is used offensively in a mission to defend a nation from a potential threat).
Its not gonna stop a terrorist with computing skills, is it? They ain't gonna stop half way in their operations and say: "We can't continue, because this version of the GPL says we can use the software in this weapon for offensive operations!"...The other terrorist will pull out a gun, shoot the first terrorist, then laugh, while they continue with the operation.
The point is: If you're against war, fine...But trying to put your beliefs or views into something like GPL, isn't gonna stop the next one. Its as useful as that time in Australia...Where a few hundred Aussie woman protested about the 2nd Iraq war...By parading butt naked in some park!
Protesting, Petitions and putting idealistic nonsense into something completely irrelevant is NOT gonna stop future conflicts. Finding ways for everyone to understand and live with each other is.
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