RE: Spinoff: Using Linux for work? was RE: Why Tech-Writers Should Know About Open Source Technologies

[Brian Gordon <elasticsoul2003 -at- yahoo -dot- ca>]

--- Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axion -dot- net> wrote:
> 
> On Thu, 2005-09-15 at 16:24 -0400, Dan Goldstein
> wrote:
> > Owning your own code is the ethical equivalent of
> running a sweatshop? 
> 
> I'm sure you're joking, but, for some people, yes.
> 
> The reasoning is that monopolies restrict access to
> computer resources.
> Since access to computer resources is necessary for
> a member of an
> industrialized society, restricting that access is
> unethical.

Could not the same argument be applied to many
'necessities?' Like, for example, food, shelter,
brand-name clothes (you're unlikely to get a TW job
unless appropriately dressed, after all)? Just because
something is a need does not oblige others to provide
it. (Not restricting access is the same as giving it
away.)

Brian

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