Hi there
Loads of free software (e.g VLC) are stored on Mirrors hosted by many universities around the world -- just curious to know what they actually get out of providing this (useful) service and how is it paid for.
Cheers
jimbo
I think that it's a way to get students to use the tools and with luck if they like them enough they'll purchase a copy when they graduate. It's also a way to get colleges/universities to use the tools since it's free for their students.
Many universities are publicly funded, as such the results of their work often have to be made available to the public if possible.
In addition, Universities tend to have a way of thinking that they should be spreading knowledge publicly (most public universities allow you to "Audit" classes for free without grade, for instance). And this is likely just another aspect of that. Remember, the internet itself was funded by public money, and implemented by universities and DARPA.
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