<VV> Info Should Be Free?

[N. Joseph Potts]

There's been much paraphrasing of the original aphorism of Stewart Brand,
Information Wants to Be Free, and whatever Brand had in mind, I don't think
all information must be gratis (to be clear about the "free" that is meant
on this forum). I think PEOPLE should be free to do what they want (and can)
with the information they possess. If they want to sell it, and can find
buyers for it, well and good - this is boon to everyone, including them.
     For my part, I charge what the market will bear for my Corvair advice:
precisely nothing, and it's worth every penny of it, too! Information,
hell - *I* think Corvair PARTS want to be free (THAT ought to curl some of
our vendors' toes). But it's just MY Corvair parts that are free - other
people can and should charge what they can get for them. Even *I* charge
replacement for NEW parts that I might use someday - it's just my used,
surplus ones that I give away, and when shipping is involved, I don't give
THAT away (mostly because UPS doesn't, either).
     Admittedly, I am in all cases in "competition" with people who sell
what I'm giving away. But I have so little information, and so few parts,
that I think sellers of what I'm giving away have nothing to worry about,
unless their stock is as skimpy as mine is!
     It wasn't too long ago that CORVAIRS themselves were often free, and
one still pops up now and then on this forum and elsewhere. Some of those
are overpriced, at that.
     Anyway, the only thing that SHOULD be free is people - to charge what
they want for what they have - including nothing at all.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C