[ Thanks to Kelly
McNeill for this link. ]
“I recently upgraded to the latest version of a well-known Open
source software that’s available in a multitude of platforms like
Windows and LINUX. The program in question isn’t important, as I
want to reflect on a possible trend that concerns me.”
“After I installed the latest version for Windows, I called it
up to test it and I was stunned. There popped up a nag screen
asking for registration. So I figured that this would be a simple
put your name in the database. I was wrong, it was a plea for cash
like the annual PBS fundraising drives….”
“Unfortunately, the adoption of the nag screen in an Open
source program points to a potential trend that worries me. It
exposes a contradiction of the bazaar. The Penguinistas are
being nagged to pay for an open source program, which is ostensibly
zero cost, under the guise of registration….”