Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

States Demand Windows Source Code

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the just-refuse-secret-source-software dept.

Zeb writes: "Looks like the states who are continuing the anti-trust case don't believe MS' claim that they cannot provide a stripped down version of Windows. They want MS to release the source code so they can verify MS' claims . Maybe MS shot itself in the foot here?" The Register has a story as well.

7 of 615 comments (clear)

  1. Difficulty factor? by InfinityWpi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Having had to read -one- person's code and make sense of it, can I ask where in the world the judge is going to find people who can read the source code -and- make sense of it -and- determine if the arguements have merit? And, of course, have it happen inside of a year? Any sufficiently learned group of programmers will probably be either too expensive to hire for the job or bicker amongst themselves... you have to admit, most programmers are either biased for or against MS in the first place. All it takes is one arguement and poof...

    "I'm sorry, your honor, but the witnesses are deadlocked..."

  2. Re:How long would it take to review? by mblase · · Score: 5, Funny

    Better yet, I can imagine MS giving the states the source code to, say, Microsoft BOB or Windows 3.1, and waiting to see how long it takes them to figure out it's the wrong thing.

  3. well... by angramainyu · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...I think it's safe to predict the winner of this year's obfuscated C contest.

    1. Re:well... by curunir · · Score: 5, Funny

      maybe not...aren't entries in the obfuscated C contest were supposed to do something useful when run?

      --
      "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!"
  4. Somewhere in Mordo^H^H^H^H Redmond... by zulux · · Score: 4, Funny


    Clippy:"It looks like your Searchig and Replacing!"

    Drone421:(Absently talking to Clippy)"Yep, I good go through each one of these .h and .c files and get the BSD copytight out of them - the states wann'a see the source"

    Clippy:"Please type your question"

    Drone421:"hmmmmmm..." How to I do a global search and replace?

    Clippy:"Please choose your Encarta (TM) topic: Harlem Globetrotters, Search and Rescue, or UNIX"

    Drone421:"Hmmmm... I think on second thought, I'll ask the Hotmail people how they got rid of all the BSD copyright stuff in their code"

    --

    Moneyed corporations, non-working 'poor' and criminal prisoners are turning productive citizens into tax-slaves.

  5. Microsoft Objects by guttentag · · Score: 4, Funny

    MS Attorney: Your Honor, my client agrees to turn over the Windows source code when it is finished.
    Judge: And when will that be?
    NY Attorney General (whispering): When no one has any money left with which to buy Windows.
    MS Attorney: Well, it's hard to say...
    Judge: You will deliver the source code in its present state to this court no later than two months from today.
    MS Attorney: Your Honor, my client respectfully requests that Windows be treated as an intelligent life form and therefore allowed to plead the fifth.

  6. Re:Who modded this down? by smagruder · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hmmm... seeing "Microsoft" and "victim" in the same sentence is making me go cross-eyed. As soon as my eyeballs return to center, I'll roll them up voluntarily.

    --
    Steve Magruder, Metro Foodist