I was asked some time ago for my permission to include comments that I made, and I gave that permission freely. At the time, though, Hacker Monthly was free, as I recall, and I'm now wondering about re-thinking that stance.
If my comments are used, how would I know? Should I now? Should I care?
Perhaps those whose comments are used should be offered a free copy, even if only of the pages containing their words.
When I was using the comment I never thought the authors (graciously) gave me the permission while the issues were still free for digital download.
I will personally contact the comment authors that appeared in the paid issues (#4 - #6) who given me the permission the their comments in the free issues (#1 - #4) to see how we could resolve this.
I'm a BSD kind of guy, so if I was asked, I would still give it freely, anyway. I'd rather help someone out, and I'm already giving what I say away freely right here. It seems kind of silly to me that someone could read what I say freely here, but I'd expect payment elsewhere.
Then again, that's just me. Some people want to get paid for everything. Tomorrow, I'm guest lecturing an English class at a university, for example. I've found two reactions to this, when I've told people: One group says "Oh, how exciting!" and the other says "Are you getting paid?" Here's a follow up I got to my answer, yesterday: "Too many people from your generation have too clever of an answer for that question."
Both are valid reactions. I just happen to think that the first fits me and my goals better.
If my comments are used, how would I know? Should I now? Should I care?
Perhaps those whose comments are used should be offered a free copy, even if only of the pages containing their words.
I'm not sure.
What do you think?