lal
While I agree with his argument (and I'm a pinboard customer), I am not for mixing the term 'free software' with 'free, unmodifiable, supported, centrally hosted web service'.
To me, free software means code sharing and the ability to modify software and run it personally as I choose. The difference boils down to resources. With free software I do get the source; however, I need to provide the environment, time, and self reliance support-wise (or a decent community).
Example: Take down a plane full of people to save a building full of people?
In the late 90's my chemistry teacher took a period to show the class that we are going to run out of oil. Few of us even blinked- we just started driving and gasoline was cozy $1/gallon.In recent times, the Peak Oil prophesy call of a 'Doomer' has been written off as a mere tinfoil tirade. Those who professed and postulated were marked as downers, as conspiracy theorists. Many of the people...
The majority of the feedback I am seeing on the AOL / Techcrunch deal is critical.However, I'm seeing this as a massively good play for a 'dinosaur' that wants to get into the industry. Think about it- they now own an 'in' to cutting edge information on every major acquisition target.