FSF Suggests That Google Free Gmail Javascript

Phoe6 writes "Apparently, FSF is calling it a 'JavaScript Trap' and wants 'useful websites' such as Gmail and others such as Twitter, Facebook to release their JavaScript code under Free Software License so that users can trust their service."

Re:Yeah right

[doishmere]

Well, the source is already technically available, since they ship you non-compiled javascript code. FSF's has several problems with this. 1) Gmail has not granted the user the right to modify the Javascript code. 2) Even if (1) is conceded, the FSF is arguing that the obfuscated code transmitted to the client browser does not truly constitute source code. They would like a link to be placed in a comment in the obfuscated code to the original, un-obfuscated code. There is a broader problem, however; even if a website transmits GPL'd code in the clear, the user does not have any easy way to replace the transmitted code with their modified code. They would like browsers to support hot-swapping websites' scripts with modified copies.

Re:In other news..

[hduff]

FSF wants Windows, Office, Photoshop, and everything else to be free. That's their job. People need to be able to make money on software, or large corporations won't invest in it. That's why FOSS-friendly companies like Sun are going under and being snapped up by profit-hungry pricks like Larry Ellison. Film at 11.

Yes, "free" as in the concept of freedom or liberty, not software at no charge or profit.

You embarrass yourself by not understanding the distiction while speaking on the subject. Or you shame yourself by deliberatley mis-stating it.

Oh, I see you're in marketing . . .

Re:In other news..

[metrix007]

USian does not exist, and is not a fucking term.

It doesn't even solve any problems, is inferior to the standard convention, so why use it?

The US is the only country in North America with the word America in it's name. Thus, it becomes clear as to which people 'Americans' refers.

Mexico is the United States of Mexico. Does USian refer to people from Mexico, or the USA?

The only argument for USian is that using American would cause confusion if talking about people from the continent. Luckily, aside from this little thing called context, we also have the clear and easy to understand terms 'North American' and 'People from the Americas'.

USian does not solve anything and creates additional problems. It's an idiotic term used by idiots. Give up, and be at peace with being an American (as stated on your passport).

Good boy.