remove splash msg

[dradetsky]

Apart from anything else, when I first started playing with beamcoder to try to figure it out, these messages made it harder to read the errors.

[sparkpunkd]

The splash message is mandated in the GPL license term and conditions. It cannot be removed.

[dradetsky]

@sparkpunkd I do not think you are right about that. The mere fact that so many projects which come from the FSF and similar do not do this ought to make you realize that it probably is not required.

In any case, do you want to remove it? Or do you want to keep it in? Or do you not care either way, you just don't want to violate the GPL?

[dradetsky]

@scriptorian opinion?

[scriptorian]

I believe the splash message is "Appropriate Legal Notices" as described in the license agreement and should stay.

[dradetsky]

@scriptorian @sparkpunkd I asked you both whether or not you wanted the notices for a reason. Whether or not the notices are required is a factual question on which you could seek expert guidance. For example, the FSF employs lawyers who might be willing to help you answer this question.

I made the PR to attempt to make beamcoder, in my opinion, better and more useful as a piece of technology. Without these messages, it's easier for me to use the library to solve my problems. If you agree with this, but are worried about the legal implications, that's totally understandable. It also tells us how to proceed. We figure out the actual legal implications, and try to solve the problem within the boundaries of what they permit.

If on the other hand, you don't agree, and you want the notices, then the requirements of the GPL are neither here nor there. It's your project, and you don't want this PR. You consider the ways in which it would improve my personal UX a non-goal for your project. That's your privilege.

So rather than disagree about what is or isn't required by the GPL, let me ask: do you approve of the goal or not?