Re: PIX/AS Vs. Linux/IPtables

[Kevin Wilcox <wilcoxkm () APPSTATE EDU>]

2009/10/1 Josh Richard <jrichar4 () d umn edu>:

> I should have been more clear on the reservation.  Given the choice
> between GPL and BSD licensing after much internal debate, where possible
> we opt for GPL.  The analysis of the BSD argument being more free since
> it only requires acknowledgment to the original authors I believe is
> valid.  Saying that, there is opportunity to introduce a proprietary
> branch at a later time.  Doing so is a freedom, therefore BSD is more
> free as it is less restrictive.  Where possible we accept the position
> of the GPL as an internal direction for tools and systems we construct
> to support networking process.  Obviously, this is not possible 100% of
> the time across all all projects, hardware etc but that is the direction
> the in house ship tracks.

It's certainly worth considering whether future releases of the
software you use will be freely available for use, modification, etc.,
and as a former GPL advocate I can appreciate making an internal
decision to stick with software under that license whenever possible.
What threw me for the loop was "potential license restrictions" as the
software one currently uses, GPL or BSD licensed, will always be
available under that license, it's only future releases where that may
change. It's probably worth noting that a current release may be under
the GPL (or a BSD-style license) but the next release may not provide
source code at all so I tend to think in terms of what the current
license is, not what it may be licensed as in the future.

> I don't want to speak for you, did I capture your greater freedoms?

Oh no, not at all. Like I said, my confusion was over the phrasing and
I was wondering if there was something I had missed. Thanks for the
clarification!

kmw

-- 
Kevin Wilcox
Network Infrastructure and Control Systems
Appalachian State University
Email: wilcoxkm () appstate edu
Office: 828.262.6259