Software Licensing - AGPL vs GPL vs etc.

[Jesdisciple]

I was just responding to a thread that made me (ironically - see third link below) Google upon a rather interesting conversation: Which license is best for Web applications and software in general?

For FOSS Web applications, the GPL is out and the AGPL is in, unless you don't really believe in FOSS.

And of course the same debate is occurring from the opposite perspective. Is the clarity the AGPL brings to Web applications good or bad for site owners? And is your conclusion based on ethics or corporate convenience?

I'm very curious to see what everyone thinks...

[Twey]

I agree that (ab)using the GPL in this way defeats the point of FOSS. I think a license with AGPL-style restrictions is probably preferable, although practically unimplementable right now.

[Jesdisciple]

Why would it be infeasible?

Also, if the AGPL is preferable for Web applications, does it make sense as the license for offline applications? The output of a normally offline application may at some point be automatically transmitted over the Internet; should such an application be GPL or AGPL?

I hope to hear from any anti-GPL members, too.