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Re: Results of "downloading compressed program images" request



> Far better would be an open system where the hardware specs were
> published, and the software was GPL-ed.  Now people with unusual
> requirements can have those requirements met in a professional
> manner. 

And if we extend your scenario further ?

Let's imagine that one day you came up with a way of reducing fuel
consumption by 20-30%.
You could think "I'm going to make a fortune from this" or you could think
"I'm going to make the world a better place and everybody will love me".
But there's a catch. It will take you 6 months to a year full time, to
develop the idea. You can't work _and_ develop it so you are forced to
leave work. You still have to eat, so you mortgage the house to the limit
so you have a source of income. To make that stretch out, you forsake the
luxuries in life and therefore so does the rest of the familly.

At the end of that time, you have no money, you are in debt up to your
eyeballs, the wife has left with the kids (or worse, the mother-in-law is
always there) _but_ you have completed your widget and proven your
algorithm.
Would that seem the appropriate time to make your source available to
anyone that wanted it ?

If it is _your_ life that is on the line, you're perspective changes a
little.

Steve.