Among other stuff, we just got back from a camping trip in Transsylvania. Politics aside, it's a beautiful place.

Politics

The sorry state of European software patents, which just proves the politians are there in for their money only, got me thinking sideways. Free Software clearly improves the working conditions, and ultimately the life of its users, as it adds to choices. As such, this is much more significant for me than stuffing the pockets of anyone else, including mysterious irresponsible corporations and their mighty stockholders. As a consequence, it should be an utmost priority that Free Software should be Free to develop and use, that is, unhindered by "intellectual property", (mainly so called patents).

Any "inventor" who claims their superior priming-bubble-sort is allowing a software vendor to compete more efficiently should get a reward from said vendor, yes. From proprietary vendors (vendors of arbitrarily restricted software), that would be royalties, from Free Software vendors and developers, the reward should be the Free Software itself, which the inventor is free to sell/support. What I mean if there is a possibility of patenting algorithms and other intangible ideas, then so be it, but the use of them should be free for Free Software.

I don't find this principle much different than the current exceptions about some governments ability to copyright items, and probably use "inventions" as they see fit (for weapons development maybe?)

Oh well, this pre-federation Earth sucks.