The hidden costs of GPL software? - None

Off hand, the costs of GPL'd software are not hidden at all.
R for instance demands that a would be user sit down and
learn the language. This in turn pushes a user into learning
more about statistics than the simple overview that Stat 1
presents a student.

I'd see this as less a cost than a benefit!

In contrast, any program that simplifies use also tends to
encourage a simplified understanding.

Agreed!

So, I believe it can be legitimately argued that the real
hidden costs lurk in "easy to use" software, especially
commeercial software with GUI interfaces.

Well put; though it's not obvious whom these costs fall on.
The people who actually use the "easy to use" software, or
the organisations that employ them, can all too often get
away with sloppy or invalid analysis. It may often be the
consumer of their results or of products based on them who
ultimately loses.

Best wishes to all,
Ted.


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Date: 24-Nov-04                                       Time: 09:21:35
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