[wellylug] Linux as selling point.

[David Murray]

On Thu, 2005-08-11 at 07:56, Pete Black wrote:
> > But if the binaries are embedded within an electronic device and are 
> > not
> > easily available to copy for use by the purchaser of the electronic
> > gadget, then how does that constitute distributing software?
> >
> > The manufacturer sold a piece of hardware.
> >
> 
> How would this be different to selling a PC with an OS preloaded on it? 

In one instance you buy a gadget which has software that you cannot
easily copy, or remove, or modify (other than perhaps updating to a
newer version of the software as supplied by the manufacturer) without
physically damaging the gadget.

In the other instance you have carte blanch to do what you like to the
PC - including copying, modifying, and adding further software to what
is already installed. And the PC is designed to make this easy to do.


Regards,

David Murray

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