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Open Source in the Military?
djmcmath asks: "Does anyone have any experience with Open Source Software and/or GPL'd software in military applications? I'm only asking because I'm involved in work on the combat systems for a new submarine, and had considered an Open Source solution. (I apologize, I must be intentionally vague for obvious reasons.) So ignore the obvious questions (Is it really suitable? Are closed-source proprietary options better? Does MS have a good solution?) and skip to the good stuff. What about the fact that my code would be classified Secret under US Code Umptifratz? I cannot distribute my code (and it's changes) without being tried for treason. What happens to the rest of the combat system code when I submit my GPL'd module?" Open Source and the Military: it's a tricky combination of keeping what can be open, open and keeping your secrets...well, secrets! However, open source in the military need not be as high profile as weapons systems. One of the only major OS projects that I'm aware of that had any form of military involvement was GRASS, the open-source GIS system. I'm sure there may be a few others out there. Does anyone know of other OS projects with military association? If there are any projects out there that interface with classified bits, how did you deal with those issues?
It makes me doubt the veracity of your entire question. Here's what the constitution says about treason:
Article III:
Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.
I fail to see how software distibution could be considered treason. Has slashdot just been duped again?
Learn this and learn it well:
it's == it is
its == the possessive version of it
The word 'its' is a possessive pronoun (its, yours, hers, his, theirs) as opposed to a possessive noun and therefore does not follow the rules set out in Bob's Quick Guide To The Apostrophe, You Idiots. </grammar police>
Since I have absolutely no security clearance, I will finish this person's statements...
;-)
I am a programmer in the USAF, and my squadron (for security reasons I cannot say what my unit does) uses OSS.
We all know that his "unit" is making him search for pr0n on the 'net.
We use Samba for sharing printers between Windows NT and Solaris.
(To print the pr0n)
We also use DivX for...
(To watch the pr0n movies that his "unit" makes him download.)
I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you
(Because his wife would eventually learn what he really does all day at work.)