Re: implementing reiserfs in C++ for a new OS

[mjt@nysv.org]

On Wed, Aug 11, 2004 at 03:04:47PM +0200, Dr. Giovanni A. Orlando wrote:

>>People have the same ideas independently, person A and person B.
>>Person A patents it and person B can't compete with person A.
>>Person A makes a bad implementation and no one can do anything about it,
>>no one can do it better.
>>Your idea about protecting ideas starts to sound like Microsoft, doesn't
>>it?
>No.

I think it does.

It closes down on competition, and competition breeds evolution, and
evolution leads to prosperity.

>Therefore, you cannot comment about the US. Actually, the US is not the 
>'normal' US. I hope things
>back normal and 'for business' soon. I suppose with the new president.

The American Dream is not the America of today.

People moved there, built their towns, everyone was free, everyone
contributed to society, everything was ok.

Then things went wrong.

Sure the "Normal" US, the American Dream US, with freedom and strong
economics and equality would be just about the best thing ever.

That's not how things are now, ergo, they are degenerated.

>>Every honest individual who makes an invention may get sued over patents
>>because someone else can claim the most stupid patent ever.
>Yes. Unfortunately this is possible. Microsoft wins a cause a get 4 
>million US$ for a small company owner.
>In infringements patents, 1 million US$ is something like one dollar, 
>the minimal quantity of money to speak about.

Unfortunately a mille may be a lot of money for the small company.

And still people think that it's a good thing that someone patents
an idea even if it hurts small companies from advancing and competing.

Look at how well they split Microsoft into smaller companies. About as
effective as chopping a tree down with your finger. If the counter-plea
ever gets finished, I'm sure Microsoft will have won.

That's not the "normal" US, right?

>Basically, we charge for the manual and additional not free software, 
>like Trolltech does.
>Then, if someone like, and want to contrib. Great.

That is your right and I wish you the best of luck.

>Also, have no sense to release a program to configure the kernel and 
>offer only in commercial form. Must be
>also available for free like the Kernel is.

Sure, it can be free and a part of some package that contains the
manual and additional non-free software.

That's a good business plan, yes?
Circulate as much free software as possible and get paid only for what
really costs, ie. printing manuals. About keeping software closed forever
I will not comment any more, it depends on so many things. I would release
any closed software once I have made enough money off of it.

>China and Hong Kong is the first place in the world where people 
>re-produce 'everything' in almost illegal mode: shoes, pants, etc.

And Western companies set up factories there and pay the locals as much
as four times the salary they'd get in a local factory. Even if it's very
little by our standards.

Of course western companies should support also the local industries and
not just "abuse" them but they still pay relatively good money.

If they don't, they are criminal :)

What about bootled medicine in countries where people can't afford medicine
because of patents?

Almost the same thing.

-- 
mjt