Free?

[Chante]

"Jeff Nowakowski" <jeff at dilacero.org> wrote in message 
news:j81rap$1f50$1 at digitalmars.com...
> On 10/22/2011 01:56 PM, Steve Teale wrote:
>> I'd never seen it before - maybe I lead a sheltered life.
>>
>> GPL: "Free as in Herpes"
>>
>> Doesn't that just hit the nail on the head.
>
> No, it doesn't. It's pure flamebait. Nobody wants to get herpes and it 
> serves no useful purpose. On the other hand, many people happily use 
> GPL software and like the fact that the source is available and will 
> remain available with further distributions.
>
> If you don't like GPL then don't use it. It's not hidden and going to 
> infect you without your consent.

It is "subtle": a programmer exposed to the viral source code (or some 
software company's source code) becomes "tainted" from that exposure. 
Most programmers, unfortunately, do not consider this. It is especially 
"evil" in the case of viralware because a youngster at home just wanting 
to learn programming or build some software will download the viral code 
and become "tainted" at an early age (way before he/she is able to make 
decisions concerning his/her future and what is best for them). It's like 
marketing cigarettes to youngsters!