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RMS Asks Miguel to Explain Himself
phaze3000 writes "RMS, responding to questions from the audience at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil last week, has asked Miguel de Icaza to explain himself to the Free software community about comments made last week that Gnome should be based on .NET in the future. More details at Brazillian site Hotbits and in The Register." I find this amusing.
A Conversation with Human Resources
Human Resources Representative: Good afternoon, RMS.
RMS: Hi.
HR: As you may have heard, we have been conducting interviews with certain personnel lately. In the current economic climate, our company is looking to reduce costs wherever possible. This may also, unfortunately, include "right-sizing" in certain departments head counts. In order to be absolutely fair, we are giving the persons whose positions are being considered for right-sizing the opportunity to justify their current positions worth. Do you understand?
RMS: You're going to fire me?
HR:No, RMS. "Right-sizing" is not about firing people. Based on your answers to a few questions, your departments head count will be evaluated. This may include shifting of positions and responsibilities, adjustments to salaries, and in some cases individuals may be released from employment. Does this help you understand?
RMS: I guess so...
HR: Alright, lets begin. According to our files, your present position is Unix Systems Administrator, is that correct?
RMS: Uhh, yeah.
HR: And what responsibilities, in your view, does your position entail?
RMS: I administer to the Unix systems, which includes 4 GNU/Linux Samba servers, 8 load-balanced GNU/Linux Apache web servers, and a FreeBSD firewall... Hey, if you're looking to fi.. err, "right-size" somebody, why don't you look at the two NT admin guys? After all, they have much less experience than me; they're just a bunch of paper MCSEs, which just means you memorized a bunch of stuff and passed a test. They don't have any real admin experience, like with a GNU/Linux system.
HR: We'll get to that in just a moment. In what ways would you say your expertise is vital to the continued operation of these servers?
RMS: Well, I know just about everything there is to know about GNU/Linux and the associated operating system utilities.
HR: Mmmhmmm. In this email from the director of IS, he tells me that the company is considering the elimination of Linux from the environment in order to lower our TCO -- total cost of operation, I think? No, total cost of ownership. He says we are considering replacing these servers with Windows 2000 Advanced Server, running IIS 5. What do you think about this?
RMS: That's a stupid idea. Winbl... err, Windows is extremely difficult to administer. You have to keep up with new security patches coming out every 2 hours, and on top of all that you have to deal with the Blue Screen of Death every day, and Microsoft charges you like 500 bucks every time you call them.
HR: So Windows is much harder to administer than Linux?
RMS: That's right. As a matter of fact, if you just got rid of the Microsl... err, Microsoft boxen, you could replace them with GNU/Linux and save some money on the licenses right there.
HR: Explain this to me. If Windows is so difficult to administer, why are the NT administrators able to support twice as many servers, given their limited "real world" experience, and the fact that they are only "paper MCSEs"?
RMS: Err, they're probably just not doing their job. After all, my FreeBSD box has a 279 day uptime. Their Microsh... err, Microsoft boxen are up and down every week because of security patches.
HR: Yes, the FreeBSD firewall is an interesting topic. We had an outside security consultant come in, and he found that the FreeBSD firewall had not been patched for a vulnerability in a program called "Open SSH". The NT servers were up-to-date on patches, and properly secured. In addition, a large proportion of helpdesk tickets are called in because of issues with the Samba file servers. How do you respond to this?
RMS: What? Gaah, the OpenSSH exploit was only a local root exploit!! There's no reason to take down a server with almost 300 days uptime to patch it!! And those people just have problems because they are running Windows 2000 on their PCs!! Microsoft deliberately changed the SMB standard to cripple open source competitors!! If the users weren't so obsessed with using their Outlook calendars and their Powerpoint presentations, they could just use Mandrake or something with StarOffice, and everything would be fine!!
HR: There's no reason to get excited, RMS. These are just questions we have to ask. Now, given that you say Linux is far easier to administer than Windows, is there any reason to believe that if we bring on another NT administrator, he or she would be unable to support the Linux and BSD systems until they get migrated to Windows 2000?
RMS: No... err, YES. It is easier, but... they just wouldn't understand!! There is a lot you have to know!! It's not just all point and click and all that kiddie stuff!!! It's really hard, you have to be able to compile kernels and edit conf files!! They couldn't do what I do!!!
HR: OK, RMS, I can understand your anxiety. We'll move away from that subject. Now, is there any possibility that you see for us to use your skills in another position? For instance, would you be interested in earning your MCSE to become a junior administrator when we roll out the new Windows 2000 servers?
RMS: NO!! I DON'T USE THAT MICROTRASH!! IT'S NOT LIKE I'M INTERESTED IN GETTING A BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH EVERY 2 SECONDS AND SPENDING THE REST OF THE TIME LISTENING TO STUPID USERS ASKING IDIOT QUESTIONS. OPEN SOURCE DOES EVERYTHING I NEED IT TO.
HR: Well, that tells us just about everything we need to know. RMS, your input is of course appreciated, and we will be taking all your comments under advisement. Your department head will be contacting you soon to let you know about any change in your employment status. Thank you for your time.
RMS: BYE.
Phuck their 20 seconds! Oh man, I'm such a loser, I can't even get a phrist psot on /.
A Conversation with Human Resources
Human Resources Representative: Good afternoon, RMS.
RMS: Hi.
HR: As you may have heard, we have been conducting interviews with certain personnel lately. In the current economic climate, our company is looking to reduce costs wherever possible. This may also, unfortunately, include "right-sizing" in certain departments head counts. In order to be absolutely fair, we are giving the persons whose positions are being considered for right-sizing the opportunity to justify their current positions worth. Do you understand?
RMS: You're going to fire me?
HR:No, RMS. "Right-sizing" is not about firing people. Based on your answers to a few questions, your departments head count will be evaluated. This may include shifting of positions and responsibilities, adjustments to salaries, and in some cases individuals may be released from employment. Does this help you understand?
RMS: I guess so...
HR: Alright, lets begin. According to our files, your present position is Unix Systems Administrator, is that correct?
RMS: Uhh, yeah.
HR: And what responsibilities, in your view, does your position entail?
RMS: I administer to the Unix systems, which includes 4 GNU/Linux Samba servers, 8 load-balanced GNU/Linux Apache web servers, and a FreeBSD firewall... Hey, if you're looking to fi.. err, "right-size" somebody, why don't you look at the two NT admin guys? After all, they have much less experience than me; they're just a bunch of paper MCSEs, which just means you memorized a bunch of stuff and passed a test. They don't have any real admin experience, like with a GNU/Linux system.
HR: We'll get to that in just a moment. In what ways would you say your expertise is vital to the continued operation of these servers?
RMS: Well, I know just about everything there is to know about GNU/Linux and the associated operating system utilities.
HR: Mmmhmmm. In this email from the director of IS, he tells me that the company is considering the elimination of Linux from the environment in order to lower our TCO -- total cost of operation, I think? No, total cost of ownership. He says we are considering replacing these servers with Windows 2000 Advanced Server, running IIS 5. What do you think about this?
RMS: That's a stupid idea. Winbl... err, Windows is extremely difficult to administer. You have to keep up with new security patches coming out every 2 hours, and on top of all that you have to deal with the Blue Screen of Death every day, and Microsoft charges you like 500 bucks every time you call them.
HR: So Windows is much harder to administer than Linux?
RMS: That's right. As a matter of fact, if you just got rid of the Microsl... err, Microsoft boxen, you could replace them with GNU/Linux and save some money on the licenses right there.
HR: Explain this to me. If Windows is so difficult to administer, why are the NT administrators able to support twice as many servers, given their limited "real world" experience, and the fact that they are only "paper MCSEs"?
RMS: Err, they're probably just not doing their job. After all, my FreeBSD box has a 279 day uptime. Their Microsh... err, Microsoft boxen are up and down every week because of security patches.
HR: Yes, the FreeBSD firewall is an interesting topic. We had an outside security consultant come in, and he found that the FreeBSD firewall had not been patched for a vulnerability in a program called "Open SSH". The NT servers were up-to-date on patches, and properly secured. In addition, a large proportion of helpdesk tickets are called in because of issues with the Samba file servers. How do you respond to this?
RMS: What? Gaah, the OpenSSH exploit was only a local root exploit!! There's no reason to take down a server with almost 300 days uptime to patch it!! And those people just have problems because they are running Windows 2000 on their PCs!! Microsoft deliberately changed the SMB standard to cripple open source competitors!! If the users weren't so obsessed with using their Outlook calendars and their Powerpoint presentations, they could just use Mandrake or something with StarOffice, and everything would be fine!!
HR: There's no reason to get excited, RMS. These are just questions we have to ask. Now, given that you say Linux is far easier to administer than Windows, is there any reason to believe that if we bring on another NT administrator, he or she would be unable to support the Linux and BSD systems until they get migrated to Windows 2000?
RMS: No... err, YES. It is easier, but... they just wouldn't understand!! There is a lot you have to know!! It's not just all point and click and all that kiddie stuff!!! It's really hard, you have to be able to compile kernels and edit conf files!! They couldn't do what I do!!!
HR: OK, RMS, I can understand your anxiety. We'll move away from that subject. Now, is there any possibility that you see for us to use your skills in another position? For instance, would you be interested in earning your MCSE to become a junior administrator when we roll out the new Windows 2000 servers?
RMS: NO!! I DON'T USE THAT MICROTRASH!! IT'S NOT LIKE I'M INTERESTED IN GETTING A BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH EVERY 2 SECONDS AND SPENDING THE REST OF THE TIME LISTENING TO STUPID USERS ASKING IDIOT QUESTIONS. OPEN SOURCE DOES EVERYTHING I NEED IT TO.
HR: Well, that tells us just about everything we need to know. RMS, your input is of course appreciated, and we will be taking all your comments under advisement. Your department head will be contacting you soon to let you know about any change in your employment status. Thank you for your time.
RMS: BYE.
So the question is -- who owns the project? RMS who contributes nothing or Miguel who manages it?
Keep in mind that Microsoft has unheard-of amounts of money and lawyers to throw at the problem, and that they have demonstrated time and again that they have no scruples about doing whatever it takes to eliminate their competition.
If I was Miguel, I would tread very, very carefully when considering the adoption of Microsoft's "Open" APIs...
I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
Is it just me or does the whole Gnome project seem to be loosing focus?
I have been a loyal Gnome user but KDE is leaving it in the dust as far as development goes right now. And NOW I know why...
If Miguel insists on using .NET for Gnome in the future, then it's time to branch development for Gnome. All the Gnome developers with some sanity will undoubtedly go for the non-.NET Gnome. I.e. 99% of them.
I'm sure that 99% applies to Gnome users as well.
I mean, how dare the guy develop useful open-source products and tools using a modern, cohesive framework that's en route to becoming an ECMA standard? All open-source programmers should stick to cryptic/buggy libraries or stop making open source projects. Because just because you're open source doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, right?
Microsoft, after all, was the one who designed their own implementation of this framework and they're a big monopoly that makes products that people want and use so no one in the open source world should work with them.
Also, Bill Gates has a nose so Miguel should cut his off right now to spite him. That'll show 'em all!
Easy does it!
This comment has been submitted already, 276865 hours , 59 minutes ago. No need to try again.
You might think this a troll. But, I truely cant stand gnome. I dont like it. I am a KDE fan. I'm happy to see him making it an easier choice for my friends.
Gnome sucks, has sucked, and will always suck.
What I want to know is how much it pays to claim that .NET is a good technology. I mean, is this something where I could get a second house paid for by embracing MS? We know they have more money than design experience.
I don't really think that Miguel is being paid... but then, if someone offered evidence, I wouldn't be surprised.
My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
I fully agree with you!
RMS FUCK OFF!
Before you email me, remember: "There is no god!"
Read Miguel's clarification of what he meant by GNOME taking advantage of Mono.
.net. It just might deliver what CORBA only promised, language independent component reuse. I know I wouldn't mind mixing for example Kylix generated GUI frontends with Java/C# running the logic in the background, transparently (and natively!). I surely hope that by the time we reach GNOME 4 (and we're talking 2-4 years from now here) we're not still writing GUI applications in C, as is the state with most GNOME apps now.
.net, it's not controlled by Microsoft, it's a reimplementation of the .net class libraries while also bringing in a C# compiler as a bonus (Believe me, there are plenty of worse languages to code in). The Mono libraries are Open Source (Same license as Xfree86, and I don't hear anyone bitching about the license of that particular piece of software) and will probably help bring a lot of new neat Open Source applications, giving especially GUI programs a boost.
Mono has a lot of technical merit, don't shoot it down only because it's based on
Remeber that Mono isn't
His website looks gay, so does he.
sounds like an interrogation by Joseph Stalin! open source is not like communism,... RMS is.
I agree. I can't comprehend how we got along without .NET before. My life has been much more fulfilled and vibrant since it has been announced. I still have no idea what .NET is but I'm sure it will be yet another slam dunk for Microsoft's innovation team. I hope .NET is something really cool that will completely innovate the hell out of the computer industry because it's been so stagnant and lacking buzzwords lately.
Why else would Miguel start telling us that CLI means Microsoft's Common Language Interface, when we've known for years that CLI means Command Line Interface?
Biggest proof for me that Miguel has sold out, when not only is he selling Microsoft technology to us, he's also selling Microsoft MARKETING to us. Nobody but Microsoft is so good at redefining the tech lingo. (of course there's RMS and "free software" but let's not get into that...)
(Please browse at -1 to read this comment.)
Actually, I don't think Miguel knows what he is
.NET.
doing. He has a six-month attention span.
Gnumeric, then Bonobo, then Ximian, then Mono,
now
And all of them having that abandoned, vaporware
feeling about them... None of them have been
successful.
It's a bit of a joke, perhaps, but a troll? So, everyone's quite comfortable with a leader in the free software community endorsing a closed and proprietary system developed by Microsoft?
Fascinating. There's no such thing as a thought Slashdot's reader community disagrees with; it's either agreeable, or a troll.
My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
- One need not have an investment to comment or have an opinion on a subject.
- The "G" in Gnome stands for GNU, which RMS very much does have a legitimate interest in.
I'm sorry - when did a dresscode get implimented? Please submit an 8x10 glossy of yourself for us to comment upon before you make another such clueless posting.I don't read ACs: If a post isn't worth so much as a nom de plume to its author then I wont bother either.
Seems a little hypocritical to me.
McFly777
- - -
"What do people mean when they say the computer went down on them?" -Marilyn Pittman
I love RMS but I hate spics and Icaca.