Change wording on project's main page

gnat - April 28, 2009 - 16:20
Project:Chart API
Version:6.x-1.2
Component:Miscellaneous
Category:task
Priority:minor
Assigned:Unassigned
Status:active
Description

This may sound like a nit-pick (and it may well be), but I believe that using the word "Free" in the list of reasons to use the module is misleading within the context of a GPL project.

Anything that relies on a Google API is "free of charge", which should not be confused with "free software". I cannot review, nor modify a Google API. I am bound to Google's terms of service when I use a Google API. Google has the rights to analyze my data and resell it at any point when they see fit to do so.

I don't want to be alarmist, or try to tell people not to use Google if they love their APIs. People are free to use whichever software they want to use. However, Drupal and its modules are actually free, in the GPL Free Software sense of the word, and within that context, referring to any Google service needs to be clarified with wording a little more specific like "free to use", "available free of charge" etc. I know this is really minor, but I think its a vital description, because people need to understand that Google's services come at a cost, its just not monetary; its one of (software and IP) freedom.

#1

boombatower - June 18, 2009 - 18:43

Lets do a complete revamp of project page.

1) screenshot
2) link to Google Chart API
3) notice at bottom summarizing what you wrote (or just remove "free")
4) basic example on home page to show how easy it is with this module and clean syntax.

#2

tjholowaychuk - June 18, 2009 - 22:49

Im fine with whatever as long as my Vision Media portion stays intact :)

 
 

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