[Mono-list] Re: Ask Microsoft: Mono support

[Ed Burnette]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paolo Molaro <lupus@ximian.com>
> Java would be close, but it's limited in many ways, so it=20
> wouldn't be good enough.

Can you be more specific about why Java is "close [but not] good enough" =
for a good development platform? I'm not trying to be argumentative, =
just to understand your position. Another way to put this is, say .Net =
didn't exist, why would I develop a product today with mono instead of =
Java, strictly on its own merits?

> IMHO, if they decide to attack Mono, as detailed in the FAQ, if they
> have patents that can stand in court, we'll remove the features or
> work around the patents. This may break compatibility, but we have our
> own code and we'll adapt it.

I read that in the FAQ. Why not do it now and make mono completely =
unencumbered? You say that compatibility isn't the primary concern. An =
IP-free implementation would eliminate any legal doubt that is slowing =
down commercial adoption. More adoption means more users and developers =
and a better environment, right?

I think you underestimate the paranoia of lawyers, especially at big =
companies. Although you and I can recognize FUD for what it is, lawyers =
take more convincing.