On Tue, 4 Sep 2001 21:50:17 -0700, you wrote:

>On 04 Sep J.C. Roberts wrote:
>
>> When you are not allowed to use his software as you see fit, the
>> usability itself is diminished. In essence, by using a license to
>> control exactly how someone MUST install his software, it stands to
>> reason his modus operandi is not about making secure software others
>> can use, instead it's about forcing people to adopt his opinions of
>> how things should be done.
>
>DJB's license says nothing about how you have to install the software.

Chris,

I don't mean to be argumentative but please check your facts and ask
DJB himself if his license allows you to install /package and /service
to anywhere in your file system that you choose... -As stated, his
license explicitly forbids derivative works using alternate
installations because you are not allowed patch the files necessary to
prevent his software from installing in their default locations. The
OpenBSD ports maintainers are not allowed by his license to build a
port that install his software to /usr/farbledarf/djb/jaberwocky/ ;-)

In the case of /package, installing it anywhere other than off the
root totally blows the entire concept which DJB is trying to promote,
namely consistency across unix-like platforms. I agree with his
sentiments about consistency across platforms but cramming it down
everyones throat with a restrictive license is no different than
Microsoft forcing their web browser on everyone who uses their
operating systems through the licensing stipulations they placed on
the VARS who make and sell `preloaded' systems. Just because it worked
for Microsoft doesn't mean it was a scrupulous thing to do.

JCR

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