Why is your Software Free

[Phil Longstaff]

There is no requirement that the software is "at-no-cost".  There is a
requirement that the license cannot stop someone else from taking it and
adapting it.  If it is then distributed in binary form, the license
*does* require that the source code be made available on the same terms.

For example, this freedom allows you to take the software and add
support for some new banking protocol so that it can fit your needs (or
add payroll, or add inventory, or add...).  If you use it just by
yourself, no other requirements.  If you make it available to others,
you also have to make your source code available so that they can take
it, modify it and distribute it under the same terms.

It probably doesn't make much sense to try to sell gnucash.  What you
*can* do is provide maintenance/support services.  If you have a client
that wants to do payroll, they can pay you to develop it for gnucash.
That is how redhat makes their money, I believe.

Phil

On Thu, 2010-03-25 at 16:51 -0500, Cam KELLY wrote:
> Hi,
> 
>    My brother speaks highly of your software and I have a question.
> Why is gnucash available for free and/or donation ? I have a limited
> understanding of the GNU Software License but if I understand
> correctly, you are not required by the license to make gnucash
> available "at-no-cost".
> 
>    I am a software developer with mid-career experience (about 3
> years) and have read 'The Success of Open Source' by Steve Weber and
> other on-line commentaries at gnu.org. The police I worked with
> previously were leery of open-source software and I continue to
> transition to independent work : www.CambridgeSoftware.biz.
> 
> your comments are welcome,
> 
> -Cam
> 
> www.CambridgeSoftware.biz
> www.ManWithMotorcycle.com
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