On Thu, May 16, 2002 at 10:22:23AM +0100, Ian wrote:
There is a lot of controversy at present because the BBC propose to put £150m into content development with free access for schools. The traditional suppliers such as RM are squealing because they believe it will damage their business. Isn't this another side to the free software argument? Shouldn't the BBC make the content available under the GPL and then others could use it and develop additional resources all free? The main argument of RM et al seems to be that it will kill development because the commercial developers will not be able to compete. Since the same money will be available I don't think that argument holds water since the BBC can't cover every single aspect of education. I see this initiative as potentially complementary to free software, especially if we could persuade the BBC to release its content under the GPL - after all, its our license fees paying for it.
If it's content then the BBC may have their hands tied by various copyright agreements with third parties, agreements with actors etc. so they can't GPL it or release it into the public domain or whatever. I know they make available for download some radio programmes but only those where they don't have these problems. RM for my money can get stuffed. The BBC has a remit in law to educate and entertain & how they go about it and whether it has any commercial impact on RM isn't their problem. RM will have to try and pick up profits in some other field other than education. Anyway, I thought RMs primary business was to sell rotten software to schools? This seems more like content than software as such. BTW, any links regards this BBC development? Regards, -- Frank *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Boroughbridge. Tel: 01423 323019 --------- PGP keyID: 0xC0B341A3 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* http://www.esperance-linux.co.uk/ "What do you do when your real life exceeds your wildest fantasies?" "You keep it to yourself." -- Broadcast News