Well your argument that tax dollars laid the groundwork for all future software means that we've already paid for it. Why should we have to pay anymore? Or course that's as ridiculous as saying no one wants to write free software. I also didn't say software was developed for free. Time, opportunity costs, etc... all come into play. It's the software that has been given away that has been the basis of all software today.
Of course Apple doesn't have to open the iPhone platform. But the only reason they wouldn't is because they want to milk as much money from it as possible. Which is of course their right, but don't defend them by saying it's because they want the best user experience or some other nonsense.
I am not sure how you arrived with this response to what I posted:
"Actually, you have it backwards. 'Paid' for software, is the basis for most/all of today's software (free and paid for). All of today's OSs/languages/software can trace their original development costs to the Billions (if not Trillions) of tax dollars spent via the military/universities/NASA in computer/hardware/software research over the past 60+ years. Not counting the Billions of dollars in Business investments in universities/labs/etc research.
Sure, some software today is developed 'free', people do contribute their labor for other reasons besides monetary gain as you stated. But someone is always directly/indirectly paying for their time.
Nothing is really free, it just might not have cost you anything (directly)."
Sure, some software today is developed 'free', people do contribute their labor for other reasons besides monetary gain as you stated. But someone is always directly/indirectly paying for their time.
Nothing is really free, it just might not have cost you anything (directly)."
I did not defend Apple about anything, as a matter of fact I never mentioned Apple's name. But you are correct, Apple does have a right to charge for their product.
Talking about rediculous... I could infer from your post that you think if you paid for the foundation of a house, you should be entitled to the entire house. You probably did not mean this, but who knows.
I also noticed how you conveniently left out the Business monetary contributions.
You also said:
"It's the software that has been given away that has been the basis of all software today."
How anyone living in the real world can have/make this thought/statement is just amazing.
Looks like several software engineers posting here (including myself) disagree with your point of view. However, you are entitled to your point of view, you just might want to give it some additional thought.
Good luck to you.