Thread: Is the FSF smoking weed?

  1. 02-19-2017 #1
    hikerFreak
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    Is the FSF smoking weed?

    Are the guys at the FSF smoking weed?

    The FSF classifies the Microsoft Visual Studio code as 'Free Software'.
    Visual Studio Code - Free Software Directory

    If you read the license on MS VSC website (https://code.visualstudio.com/License/) , you wil find point 5 of the license for the Visual Studio Code says:

    You may not
    -work around any technical limitations in the software;
    -reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code for the software except, and solely to the extent: (i) permitted by applicable law, despite this limitation; or (ii) required to debug changes to any libraries licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License which are included with and linked to by the software;
    -remove, minimize, block or modify any notices of Microsoft or its suppliers in the software;
    -use the software in any way that is against the law; or
    -share, publish, or lend the software, or provide it as a hosted solution for others to use, or transfer the software or this agreement to any third party.

    My question is: How on earth does this statement comply with the 4 essential software freedoms?!
  2. 02-19-2017 #2
    c99tutorial
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    Maybe they should be referring to the "Open Source" edition of Visual Studio Code, which appears to have a different license.

    GitHub - Microsoft/vscode: Visual Studio Code

    It's possible for a package to be distributed under two different licenses. Download the GitHub one if you don't want to accept the non-free license. Technically I don't see how it's possible to really accept a license which says you may not try to obtain the source code, if the source code is already available in the same package you download.
    C99 Tutorial
  3. 02-19-2017 #3
    hikerFreak
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    Thanks, I think I get it now. THe source code is Freely available under the MIT license. But when you go on VSC website and download the binary (.exe file on Windows, .deb or .rpm on GNU/Linux) you then have to accept this non-free garbage license. That is where the MS poison is.
    Last edited by hikerFreak; 02-19-2017 at 05:48 AM.
  4. 02-19-2017 #4
    laserlight
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    It's all in the technicalities
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
  5. 03-19-2017 #5
    shirleygreet
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    In a numerous respect FSF is a more modest venture. It is promoting the development and the use of a free software.
  6. 03-20-2017 #6
    Elkvis
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    And the Necromancer of the Week award goes to shirleygreet!
    What can this strange device be?
    When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
    It's got wires that vibrate and give music
    What can this thing be that I found?
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