Free?

[Chante]

"Daniel Gibson" <metalcaedes at gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:j81ve0$7jf$1 at digitalmars.com...
> Am 23.10.2011 22:59, schrieb 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!
>>
>>
>
> This is like claiming anyone who ever worked with proprietary code can
> never again work at another company because he is tainted.

It is to be considered. Or should be, but most people don't think very 
deeply about anything and rather "just go with the flow" ("sheeple"?). 
Virginity is sometimes a requirement. It may be wise to value that to 
keep the possibilities open.

It's not "black or white", of course. There are varying degrees of 
"baggage" ("taint") one has. If all a programmer has known is viral 
source projects, he/she probably knows too many (or only) viral source 
code passages and can't program effectively otherwise. Surely too big a 
risk for pristine source code (again, IMO). Before one starts to learn 
programming, they should think about where they want to go with that in 
the future, for unwise choices early on can hamper (or worse) the 
possibilities. Caveat emptor.