Some things I would love to see become laws

[Jüš† ä gü¥]

There are a few comptuer-related things which really need to be passed into law.

1: All operating systems should come with compilers/assemblers which work for making executables on that machine, and it should be 100% legal for anyone to make programs using those, and to have FULL LEGAL RIGHTS to their own programs and not have to pay royalties or anything.

2: All file format specifications should be required BY LAW to be publicly stated/specified in their entirety and correctly! and in all versions. If the only way to do this is to post the source code, then post the source code! FOR FREE!

3: All protocols should be required by law to be 100% open and full specifications should be required to be given out FOR FREE by the creators of the protocols

4: ALL HARDWARE vendors should be required by law to release COMPLETE hardware specifications for their hardware that is complete and correct, including which bytes to send where and when. FOR FREE!


5: All creators or modifiers of a computer langauge should be required by law (if their language is in mass use) to release the complete and correct guide to that language. FOR FREE!

In other words, proprietary file formats should be ILLEGAL unless they are not in mass use. Proprietary protocols should be ILLEGAL unless they are not in mass use. All proprietary hardware should be ILLEGAL.

Comments? Suggestions?

[[Neo770]]

Not bad idea's there, I do agree it would be cool if windows had a compiler in it.

But IMO its just not going to happen.

[skuz]

In other words, no programmer should ever earn money by programming...

[cbuddha42]

sounds good in theroy but so did communism and we all know how that turned out

[Kruzin]

And no programmer or engineer should ever be able control their creations.

These kind of laws would make intellectual property a thing of the past.
You are saying that anyone who programs any code, or designs any hardware would have to give that technology away FOR FREE.
That's wrong in so many ways, I can't even think of where to start.
Like Neo770 said...never gonna happen...

[PyroSama]

Maybe in a comunist country.



PyroSama

[Jüš† ä gü¥]

Originally posted by skuz
In other words, no programmer should ever earn money by programming...

no no no no no.

In fact, quite the contrary!

This would allow all programmers equal opportunity.

In fact, I never said that all source code had to be given away for free-----only if it was the only way to properly document a specification

Hence, if such were laws, then it would be whoever made the BETTER, FASTER, more efficient and more pleasing looking programs who would come out on top, rather than big business!

It would be whoever was able to program more efficient code, rather than slack job coding who would win.

See?

Also, I never said that they would have to give away new technology for free. ....only the proper interfacing guidelines for software to interface with it.

That way anyone could make device drivers for a new device

I never said the circuit drawings should have to be given out

[nukes]

Um, if you want all of that, then switch to Linux.
All 'standard' programming languages and most others do have their specification published for free.
If the hardware vendors released all that stuff, then people would just copy their systems, thats why they write their own drivers and DON'T release the source.
All network protocols ARE open, unless you mean the stuff used by games and things, well that would be a security risk and mean that the company wouldn't have control over their product.

I never said the circuit drawings should have to be given out

as good as.

[Solid Snake]

Computers and law don't mix very well. Any law dealing with computers infringes on freedom. If I want to make something, it's my decision whether or not I want to tell the world how it works.

[Gait_Keeper]

Hmm.............some freethinking/rethinking required here

yes it sounds very comunist, but I'm sure that's not what you meant.

you worded it a little wrong, yes comrade?