| 6264 |
Racer |
games |
-1 |
The Racer problem |
Racer is technically a great game. I can't think of better racing game. However, Racer is not free. We, the users are lured to try and use Racer because it is technically so brilliant. Just like KDE team became lured to use Qt, a proprietary toolkit, for KDE. And what a mess: Linux distributors were not be able to put KDE on their cds, since they were not allowed to distribute Qt. The same goes on with Racer.
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And, even more importantly, we, the users, are expected to give our freedom away, and just use the Racer without freedom. We are not allowed to do modifications or use part of the code. We are not allowed to distribute it against a fee (this is the freedom that Linux distributors need). And if we break against these rules, these rules that we should have, the author claims that we are pirates, breaking the law. People, don't think that you have to accept reguirements like these!
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And why? Because the author want to be able to make money of it. And because the author thinks that if Racer is GPL'ed, he loses the rights to maintain the source code and loses his rights to get credit for the work. All wrong!
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GPL allows one to maintain the program as he wants. It just adds that when the users get a copy, they are free to do almost whatever they will with it. They are not, however, allowed to take out the copyright, i.e. the copyright stays on the original author and he may relicense the program at any time if he wants! But, in case of GPL, the users can still continue to use and enhance the versions that were released under GPL. The users have freedom. But all the time, the GPL requires people to also put the Racer and its modified versions under GPL, and include the copyright holder, which tells who originally made the game! In general, if Racer continues to do work as good as it does now, no one should have any need to start a similar project based on Racer's source, provided, of course, that they have freedom to use the code.
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Racer author: just license it under GPL and we are all happy. Don't think that GPL is something bad. It is something good and it helps protecting not only the users rights, but your rights too.
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I won't touch Racer until it is GPL'ed, and I suggest you don't touch either. Make your choice, users, leave alone licenses like Racer has. They do only harm to you. Don't get lured to use programs like that, just because they are technically superior. If you want to use things like Linux and GNU software in the future, too, make your move to completely free software now, or you may lose your freedom in the future. It is up to you.
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Until Racer gets GPL'ed (if ever), you can try TORCS - http://torcs.sourceforge.net/ , which is a very good OpenGL racing game for both Linux and Windows. It's nothing like Racer, but since it is under GPL, it shouldn't take long for it to get there, if it gets enough users.
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And the last note: I have nothing to do with Linux, GNU or TORCS directly. I just use them and wish that my freedom is respected in the future, too. I refuse to use programs that are pseudo-free, like Racer. Racer author has the freedom to choose the license he wants, but we also have the freedom NOT to use his game. |
2002-08-10 03:53:29 |
0 |
| 6266 |
Racer |
games |
-1 |
You must try racer -- you have no choice |
You must not only try Racer, but you must buy it.
<P>You must love it so much, that you will go and buy your grandmama a copy to play when she's not quilting.
<P>No? You won't? Why not? Think you have a choice? If you do, so does Racer's creator.
<P>Pointing out that Racer isn't GPLed is fine. Boycott it if you want. Ask for a licence change. Ask to have the source released and have the graphics and tracks as a seperarte purchase -- whatever combination you want to ask for. Yet, since it's not your code, you have no rights over it. If you want those rights, convince the author to release it as GPL, buy the rights from him, or make your own game. |
2002-08-10 05:08:06 |
6264 |