[Xapian-discuss] GPL as the main reason why Xapian might not get the widespread success it deserves?

[Dan Colish]

Michael Hasselmann <michaelh at openismus.com> writes:

> On Mon, 2012-09-10 at 21:42 +1000, Brad Hards wrote:
>> I think that "success" would need to be determined first.
>
> Sure.
>
>> Xapian might encourage more free software by remaining GPL, which
>> might be a greater success than allowing (potentially) more use but no
>> contributions back.
>
> I think that's a deeply flawed argument which keeps getting repeated, as
> it assumes that people (or companies) would contribute back because of
> the license.
>
> Companies contribute back because they understand that growing a
> community around a project helps them to secure their investment and
> that it frees them from a maintenance burden.

Ok folks, I don't want a GPL vs. the world debate here. We had a pretty
indepth discussion a few months ago, I'd read those threads. If we ever
reach that point then we can decide to do. Remember, even we can fund
the relicensing we will need people to do it and most of those people
already have full time jobs. This will not happen quickly.

-- 
Dan