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Old 06-08-2011, 08:34 PM   #43
LGN
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LGN is on a distinguished road
 
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: ProMedia eReader, Sony PRS-600
Interesting discussion.
I think I speak for many users: people don't actually read Licenses. Besides I think they are legally doubtful, when I come home with a gadget I bought, a piece of software or just downloaded something I want or need, I already invested my time in it. Who of you ever brought back software because of it's license, really.
Install, click click click, and off I go. Especially with Open Source software from a trusted source. Heck, even if I read all the blabla, I'm lost very quick. Personally I think this stuff is not meant for end users but for lawyers. When in doubt I let my cat click "I agree" for the license.
To be completely honest, it's a click I rather not have to do. Licenses I see as something I am forced to accept, whether they grand you permissions or take them away. As an end user I just want to get the program installed.

Sure it's polite to tell people they rights and/or restrictions. Sure there are haters and lovers of GPL. Sure it's your right as a developer, and yes, it does give the installer a 'professional' look. Will most people care reading the license? For every GPL software again? For every version? Or ever? I doubt it. It's just one more click more we have to endure, it's no big deal, but we would not miss it if it wasn't there.
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