There is an ongoing discussion concerning the GNU GPLv2 at one of the sites I read. Normally I ignore all the back and forth discussions people post on their blogs, it’s a huge time sink. However since I will be releasing the software developed here under the GNU GPLv2 this is a topic that should have some relevance.

In this article I am just going to use GPL to refer to the GNU GPL version 2. The main articles leading up to this post are here, here and here.

The discussion is primarily around people being confused with the GPL and what is allowed under the license. The GPL is a license which states what is expected up front, if you comply with those terms then you do not need to contact the author for permission.

If you want to do something that is not authorized by the GPL a separate license is required from the author. This way the author is not bothered with people asking to use their software for pre-approved uses.

So what use is approved by default? Everything.

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Just a quick note for now, I am back in the US. I have been back for just over two months but have been busy meeting family and friends. I will start posting again shortly.

Wayne

A little off topic, but I have not had time to write something more substantial.  Earlier I was reading the post over at  TerraPass on who might build a better electric car, startups or the incumbants.

My money is on the startups.  In particular Telsa because of their choice to use technology that is already in wide production rather than create their own.  The main case where I have hard of this is the use of computer style batteries rather than typical car batteries.

While the big companies work to develop and control everything possible, smart startups are using the development and demand curve of other industries to lower costs.  This has the advantage of saving startups R&D on the basics, let anyone but Sony build the batteries, and Telsa can focus on other aspects of the electric cars.

This compounds a company like Telsa’s advantage, they do not have to worry about building, designing or manufacturing the commodity parts.  Instead they focus on taking those parts and creating something unique.

Now if only I could afford a Telsa…

Wayne

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