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Ask Alan Cox, Activist
Alan Cox is one of the world's most famous Linux kernel hackers. Lately he's been speaking out quite a bit on issues like copyright law, software patents, and the future of Linux, and has generally become a bit more politically active, at least in the public eye, than he was in the past. Slashdot interviewed Alan back in 1999. Lots of things have changed since then, but our interview procedure hasn't; one question per post, we send 10 of the highest-moderated ones to Alan, and post his answers verbatim as soon as he gets them back to us.
What are your feelings on something like GeekPAC?
So, now that LNUX is in the shitter, what is it like to be one of the poor again?
Michael Loves Me!
Alan, you are a popular icon within the Linux/Open Source world, but, to be frank, outside that you aren't well known at all. Are you depending on your Linux fame to help you with your political quests, or are you trying to get fame outside the Linux world? Perhaps you are looking for someone outside the Linux world to help you out on the political side?
Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
Given that you won't visit the USA given the enactment of the DMCA. If the DMCA equivalent passes in Europe, will you move? If so, is there anywhere that is safe from this kind of insane law (it sounds like peru may be a new haven for free software)?
Who's face would you most prefer on your own personal dartboard? Why?
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
With free versions of software such as Open Office constantly improving, what place do you perceive commercial software to have in the free software world as free alternatives mature to an acceptable and usable state?
Alan,
I've been programming a computer since I was 8 years old. I'm 29 now. That's 21 years of "experience". Lately, however, I've come to the realization that I'm never going to make it "big" unless I grow a Big Ole Programmer's Beard. I'd like to think it's possible to be a wise UNIX guru without one, but I think it would be easier if I had a beard. A big one.
My question is: Since my wife won't let me grow the Big Ole Programmer's Beard, what should I do to make it "big" in the world of UNIX gurus?
make linux illegal, how would you react? would you continue work on the kernel?
--fetch daddy's blue fright wig, i must be handsome when i release my rage
Alan:
What do you see as being the most important developmental direction that Linux will take over the next 5 years?
Big iron, embedded systems, desktops, PDAs, gaming system OS? Application suites, fixed use applications, games?
In a world where politicians are a taxable asset (ok, no - but they ought to be), how do you expect anything that you push to work? DMCA is a very easy to find example. If you were to speak out against that, how would you do that so as to have an actual impact? Money talks really loud, and unless we're taking up bribes...
SIG: HUP
In regards to restrictive (to put it lightly) legislation like the CBDTPA: Do you think that some sort of compromise could or should be worked out with the proponents of such legislation? That would probably be the best way to win over moderates in the Senate. Or should all efforts be taken to stop such legislation as a matter of principle? I'm just asking where you want to draw the line between practicality and principle (think politics).
Do you feel that the current trend the Government is showing of providing more protection to Big Business over consumers/American Public is in violation of the Rights of the People that the Government is supposed to be in place to protect? Do you think that the Government will ever get rid of the DMCA and other bills protecting Businesses over Consumer's Rights and start to protect the people they were sworn to protect?
Will you release this interview under an open content license?
What would you advise as to get Linux wide personnal desktop acceptance, especially what do you think still needs to be developped.
C. Sagan : A demon haunted world:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345409469/
visit randi.org
Mr. Cox -
Your famous series of -AC kernel patches is described by most as being much more experimental than Linus's kernels. Do you feel that Linux should be an experimental OS rather than one which is designed for production use? Or do you write these patches to take Linux closer to (or beyond it's limits) in the spirit of kernel hacking?
With the rise of KDE3, increased user friendlyness and "simple" distros such as Mandrake and Lindows. Do you belive the development of Linux and the open source comunity would be harmed in any way, if Linux ever became mainstream?
Look a monkey!
I'm a supporter of direct action myself, and see a lot more utility in public debate & protest than I do in politics.
An Education is the Font of All Liberty
As a whole Linux companies where hit hard when the "tech bubble" burst. Where do you think Linux companies need to head to avoid the fate of a BeOS or OS/Warp?
Is Red Hat's way of solving dependency problems for all the broken apps that Red Hat includes in its distro to simply abandon the desktop user in ITS politic?
Rien n'est plus beau que le creux du 0.
What is your question exactly?
I'm curious what your take is on the whole closed universe versus creationsim. Is there any validity to the fact that people who are taller tend be more sucessful than those who lack a high school diploma?
Alan-
What is the goal you hope to obtain in regard to the DMCA dispute? How to you intend to meet those goals ?
Personally, I think that as time passes, people will become more and more technical and eventually the absurdity of the DMCA will be exposed on a more general population than just the techies that it is now. So the nest means to an end IMHO is educating the general public. Is this your intention?
-Troy
HZ=100 is death to near-realtime apps.
When will it either be raised to 1000 or done away with altogether?
Also - why is it a #define? Should it not be a runtime settable kernel parameter?
Would be interesting if Alan Cox Answers the same questions of the last interview after 3 years.
In your mind, when does a license stop allowing you enough freedom to work with it, that is develop code underneath that license? (e.g. GPL, LGPL, BSD, or some other less restrictive license that allows for intergration with proprietary software)
Mr Cox:
What are your feelings on microkernels vs. monolithic kernels? Linux attempts to be both through the use of loadable modules; is this an ideal answer to the question? How do you define what is an essential component of an operating system kernel?
Verbatim- Just like with Bruce Cambell?
Read jack phelps dot net
Over the last year, the Linux kernel has been developing more branches.
With more branches of the kernel popping up all the time, are you concerned with managing a stable kernel with the latest drivers? What problems with kernel tree management do you see in the future!
PS: DCMA SUCKS!
I take no responsibility for what I say. Even though I'm never wrong
As someone in the Information Security field, I am constantly working to improve the security of Linux machines.
One of the low points of Linux administration is that very few daemons are chroot'd, and the few that are, dont have much protection because of the Linux kernel's very weak chroot protection.
Projects like OpenWall, GRSecurity, and SELinux (from the NSA), all attempt different solutions to this problem.
Of course, they are all incompatible with each other, but the problem remains that the Linux kernel, as shipped by RedHat is insecure when it comes to chroot protection.
Will this ever change, does RedHat care, and if so, which of these projects do you personally feel is most appropriate to lead the way in the future?
GPL'd web-based tradewars themed space game
I think its important question regarding the image of open source activists and corporations.
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
Hasn't this already happened? Almost nobody is working on making a user-friendly UI anymore, because most of the people who would do such things, have been ensnared by and succombed to the dead-end MS Windows clones like Gnome and KDE.
Linux will never have a GUI in the same class as OS/2 or Macintosh, because it will always be chasing Microsoft, trying to out-suck Windows.
There are many plagues that threaten the open-source community and even the software industry in general. There are software patents, DMCA and the like, frivolous lawsuits, MS bullying to name a few. In your opinion which one is the most dangerous? Also, what do you think is the best way to fight it?
Opus: the Swiss army knife of audio codec
1. What needs to happen for Linux to get a respectful percentage of the desktop market?
2. What, if anything, has happened in the last couple of years that is making Linux a viable desktop alternative?
3. I can't concievably think of anything that would get Joe Blow to start using Linux, other than the fact that it is financially free. Some apps are coming along (openoffice 1.0 is pretty good) quite well, but it still lacks major competitors to Microsoft's and others high profile applications. Why aren't the Linux applications out now able to successfully compete with Microsoft's?
4. Can you hook me up with Courtney Cox? Oh...
Shut up. Jackass.
Alan, I use a Mac at work for general administrative work and some desktop publishing. At home, I use Windows, mostly for gaming and surfing the net. I like the idea of Linux, but am not yet convinced enough to go through any trouble to do it and then have to worry about compatability issues. What argument would you use to persuade me (and others standing on the fence)?
Can I bum a sig?
I'm a young developer with 10 years experience on programming with a MS on computer science. What can I do to live only from free programming?
------I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't looking good either.------
What are your feelings on Microsoft's .NET and any initiatives to make the technology work on Linux?
SL33ZE - Artificial Intelligence is No Match For Natural Stupidity -
Alan,
;-)
Do you have any other interests, besides Linux? I know in order to get to the "guru" status you have to be pretty dedicated to one thing. But what else do you like? Or are you a 100% Linux-kernel-hacker? I swear I saw you the other day riding a Harley.
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
Would you go to work for Apple if they wanted you to work on their Darwin project? If yes, explain and likewise if the answer is no.
photosMy Photostream
I admire your firm convictions and the stands you take on various issues. I also admire RedHat's stand on shipping (almost) exclusively free software. (For example, I think they didn't ship KDE for awhile when it was non-free, and they replaced Netscape with Mozilla as soon as they could. AFAIK, Netscape was the only non-free component of RedHat from 7.0 or earlier onward.)
My question is, do you feel that part of RedHat's commitment to free software is based on keeping you satisfied working with the company? Does a possibility of losing their biggest-name developer help to keep them from changing their model too drastically?
Secession is the right of all sentient beings.
By what time do you expect the Linux kernel to be finished and perfect?
Have you been involved in any "Linux for development" type issues?
I would have linked to another post I made in more depth about this but I can't get at it, it's more than 25 posts ago :-(
Conversion Rate Optimisation French / English consultant
Slashdot ERROR #3829
Post contains multiple questions.
The ultimate question to OSS, kernels and everything...
vi or emacs?
Plain and simple. What's your take on piracy and acceptable means to fight it?
Look a monkey!
Alan,
I read a while ago in an article on eweek.com that you were working on a mini web server that is part of the kernel, similar to what Novell has done with Netware 5.X. This would be great, enabling basic server management over http but not requiring a full-blown service to be running.
What is happening with this project? Was it abandoned, not technically feasible, or is progress being made?
Thanks in advance, and thanks for all the fine work you've put into the community!
How much kernel code is actually in the stable series which was written under the influence of alcohol?
This may sound like a rather facetious question, but in light of the latitude of development in Linux OS application (from mainstream, friendly GUI OS to embedded OS, to clustering), the recognition of just what is "Linux" may be harder and harder to define, at least in a way that doesn't confuse people who aren't knowledgable about it (or computer OS's in general).
The strengths of Linux are strengths very difficult to explain to people who don't see why Windows and Microsoft aren't good enough for everyone.
I suppose, ultimately, my question is this: has the development of Linux out-stretched it's ability to be well-defined to the general public, and if so, how can it be successfully marketed (which seems to be the competitive endgame these days)?
Cheers.
This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it. - Dorothy Parker
Holy shit that's funny. That's an awesome trick. Hehe. Rock on, dude.
Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
Whenever I read mainstream articles about Linux they seem to say have differing ideas on what's stopping Linux from becoming widely used on non-geek computers. The interface is brought up alot, and so is installation (although with the newer releases of Mandrake, Suse, and others installation shouldn't be an issue anymore). But do you think that any of these "usability" arguments are valid anymore? I've read article after article about Microsoft "pressuring" places about going with anyone else. Do you think that Linux is ready or almost ready for prime time just M$ strong arm tactics with vendors and business's keep it pushed back?
Abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit.
Do you see a possible future where Microsoft and Linux work together - not against each other?
Alan, Europa is building now, and many free software residents fear it'll adopt the American model wrt software patents, DMCA, etc. What are, in your enlighted opinion, the steps individuals can take to prevent such a thing to happen ?
Obviously, a lot of this is marketing bravado and chest-beating, with Microsoft alternately dismissing Linux (when talking to their clients about OS choices), or trumpeting Linux as a serious competitive threat (when talking to the lawyers/politicians/judges in the Antitrust trial).
In your opinion, what fundamental changes have taken place deep down in Microsoft's attitude towards Open Source/GNU software (including, but not limited to Linux as an OS), and how has that change shifted the playing field?
Your Servant, B. Baggins
Based on this lkml thread it sounds like you are against binary only kernel modules (e.g. the National Instruments GPIB driver). What is your stance on the legality, morality, and practicality of binary only kernel modules? Specifically, is a binary only kernel module a violation of the GPL or DMCA, and if so, why? Isn't a binary kernel module driver better than no driver at all?
After posting my first question without much thought I realised what I really wanted to ask was: Do you think Microsoft will ever co-operate with the Linux/OSS community and the ideas it represents? Do you think it will need to in the future?
What specific issue (software patents / DMCA abuses / Linux issues / other) was the "straw that broke the camel's back", such that you decided to become so much more active politically?
Thanks,
-Kasreyn
Kasreyn: Cheerfully playing the part of Devil's Advocate to hairtrigger
don't you think the whole Open Source Software campaign is somewhat communist in nature?
/me awaits the thousand-mile stare.
:)
put the what in the where?
Alan, you were one of the coders, if not the primary coder behind AberMUD. Do you still play around with the MUD scene?
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Waiting for new open source drivers to be included in the kernel is a pain in the rear-end, and when they finally arrive the hardware may even be obsolete. install proprietary drivers suplied by the manufacturer is also annoying, and usually requires a recompilation, something average users don't know how or don't want to do and finally, some hardware manufactures don't like the idea of releasing source drivers in order to protect their "secrets".
I consider this as a major impediment to the acceptance of linux as a mainstream desktop OS. don't you think is about time to create a standard, wrapper for binary drivers that'll allow hardware manufacturers to:
1- create closed source drivers;
2- make the closed source drivers kernel version independent
3- make it simple to "joe average" to install new hardware such as a video card and the related drivers ?
What ? Me, worry ?
Alan, As a linux geek, I am a little concerned about those wanting to make linux a mainstream, 'user-friendly' OS. I assist a friend of mine in teaching a intro to linux class at my local community college, and these are the answers I get to important questions: Me: "Why do you want to use linux" A: "Because Windows sucks" Me: "What do you want to do with linux?" A: "I wanna use it like I use windows" I find that all most people just want to do windows stuff with linux. In my opinion, this is not in the true spirit of linux, and if anything, this would be the thing that would make linux sucks. I am very opposed to linux for users. The class calls me elitest, maybe I am. What are your feelings on the subject? Would going mainstream kill linux once all these investors and company's start turning linux into windows?
-- p06 "On religious wars: They're essentially wars over whoo's imaginary friend is better"
That's brillant! Why aren't you login in?
Not to mention that she would find it rather creepy when he insists upon leaving the beard on during sex.
Can you mention three things you would like the most to be addressed by enthusiasts of Open Source software?
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
Alan,
On the enterprise side, one of the greatest strengths of Linux has been its ability to be an extremely secure OS.
Now that Microsoft has shifted its focus to security being the top priority, and given their ability to shift gears extremely quickly and effectively (ala Internet Explorer), it is quite apparent that Microsoft will be contending for top honors in the security area within the next 2-3 years.
What impact, if any, do you perceive this having on Linux development, Linux deployment, and the Linux community in general?
Alan, what would you list as your Desert Island Discs? Those ten discs that you would want with you if there were none others to be heard...
pronoblem
Enquiring minds want to know.
Well, one thing you could do is show up one day with a fake beard... while growing a real beard underneath! Then one day you don't wear the fake beard. And she's none the wiser! When she wants you to remove the beard just mumble something about a "glue mix-up" and walk off.
Do you have any job opportunities for former child-star and occaisonal actor Wil Wheaton?
Alan, I feel that the time for advertising Linux as-a-desktop OS is at hand. I know advertising is expensive and the companies creating distros are not wallowing in surplus cash. There is a common focus-point in Linus Torvolds and an even more-recognized mascot in Tux the Penguin. I can envision one of the first commercials: Frustrated Windoze user after Linux install:" I can't believe how easy this is. And IT DOESN"T CRASH like my old system!". Helpful Dell-like kid:" Dude, you've got Linux!". All silliness aside, What are the chances of promoting desktop Linux as a collaboration effort of the distro companies and maybe even some help from IBM, Sun and others? Thanks, Dave Lowe
Greetings Alan,
I am new to Linux and have been working on getting my system up and properly configured. The biggest stumbling block for me has been difficulty getting hardware problems properly diagnosed and correctly configured. I have talked to several people and this has been a common gripe. In my opinion, this is a major reason that Linux has not spread more quickly in the desktop arena. In your opinion, are there things that the Open Source community should do to improve this situation? Or do you feel this is entirely the fault of Hardware manufactures for not releasing better drivers/tools for their hardware under Linux?
My old sig was REALLY stoopid.
Free software programmers and the extended community are arguably the most organized non-hierarchical, grassroots constituency in the world. The community includes the tens of thousands developers and millions of endusers tightly networked through institutions like sourceforge, slashdot, countless LUGs, etc. The ability to produce projects of the scale and complexity of the Linux kernel, the Debian distribution, or the engineering behind the Internet itself is a testament to the community's ability to organize more than anything else.
Despite this incredible organizing for software production, support and distribution very little of this gets translated into the political realm. In his last slashdot interview Lawerence Lessig chided the community for this.
Organizers of traditional political campaigns for social justice or equitable distribution of power would drool over having a constituency as organized as that which we have. How do you think the community can translate its effective organizing in the technical arena into the political realm?
Mr. Cox,
You must have a fairly large influence on Red Hat development, so please tell me, why continue to use RPMs?
In my experience with trying to help newbies, RPMs are pretty much the #1 problem. File based dependencies suck. Why not take the approach of Debian's far superior apt system?
My question is about your take on this topic. Should Linux Development continue to be geared towards this (Commercial Viability) or just as a cool OS with standard (and non standard) functionality, including (or not including) the latest developments? This is not to say that Linux should abandon, entirely, any push towards Commercial Viability, just should it be the main focus..
Alternatively, you could take the question to be: Should the Linux Community strive to make Linux 'The Best', or just the best that it can be?
hi Alan,
are you satisfied with X that is, the graphics system as a whole compared to the ones used in other OSes.
Piracy should be dealt with by the coast guard, or in extreme cases by the nazy.
Or were you talking about unauthorised copying ?
http://rareformnewmedia.com/
What is the nicest, most elegant, simplest and just
cool programming trick you've seen while hacking kernel?
Alan,
:)
With such a free software friendly government in Peru, and with you being opposed to American and Europian government censorship, any chance of moving off to Peru to start a geek-colony? If so, I'll bring the beer
int func(int a);
func((b += 3, b));
Currently, Linux is very good at avoiding the traditional Windows problems of stability and insecurity. But it's terrible at meeting the needs of real-world users. I know, as I've worked with many Windows users over the years who were interested in moving to Linux, and it's not a pretty sight. I spend at least half my time saying, "Well, no, you can't run your greeting card program, your mapping program, or your favorite games under Linux, and no, there is no Linux version of Word or PhotoShop, but there are lots of free programs that are sorta kinda just like them." Trust me, users in the real world could not care less about "free and almost like once you re-learn how to use that kind of program"; they'd be much more willing to accept "reasonably priced and exactly like".
I have 50 karma points, so I need to burn some. Did you ever get picked on in high school for your name? Do you still get picked on for it? I seems to me that it must be difficult to get people to treat you seriously with a name that sounds like numerous, uhm, parts.
Why bother.
dude, i never thot of it like that! that's really funny!!! :) mod this up to +5, funny!!
what IS the meaning of life?
I really need to know.
thanks
(any people that respond with 42 get negative infinite karma.)
AC:
There has been much talk of linux development fragmenting. This is a real risk, but I am seeing a different story taking place that to me is of more lasting importance:
1. Apple has moved toward *nix (albeit not linux) with OS X, essentially being Borged into a free (but somewhat customized) *nix.
2. Sun seems (to me) to be having trouble with Linux eroding its user base.
3. IBM has backed linux in a big way and is reaping big dividends.
4. Linux is being moved into virtually every kind of device imaginable, from PDAs to servers to desktops to embedded systems to routers.
5. Windows servers, while very popular, are becoming harder to rationalize in terms of price/performance and (currently) security (although MS has sworn to change this).
The desktop, in corporate america and in the home, appears to be the last reservation for MS.
Is the current state of (free) *nix really this good or is this a Pollyanna summary? Is winning the desktop battle really that important anymore? Was it ever?
Guac-foo.
Lots of petrified grits
Have you ever met RMS, and if so, did your beard get tangled up with his?
You had me at "dicks fuck assholes".
How Often Do You throw a Bone to Slashdot?
Yeah, theres different levels of LAID -
Stripped with Dick Array, a multimale encounter.
Mirroring and Duplexing - 69.
Parrallel transfer with parity - oral sex, one after the other.
Independent data disks with shared parity disks - use your imagination.
Optimized Asynchrony for High I/O Rates as well as High Data Transfer Rates - Cum fest. Just ask Cowboy Neal.
What kind of 'direct action' are you talking about? The one where you turn over cars, smash in windows and spray your slogan all over walls, fences and doors? I'm afraid that the OSS movement is going to have to be more subtle than that. Perhaps turning over Microsoft cars, smashing in Microsoft windows, and spraying slogan over Microsoft walls, fences and doors would be more appropriate.
being a man who has programmed a few micros
what is your favorite ?
and what do you think the future holds ?
(AMD or Intel, MIPS or ARM Sparc ???)
regards
john jones
jesus, what kind of crap is moderated up here ?
Now what is the question again?
Do you enjoy a 12" GOLEM POLE up your ass?
Shawn Gordon published an essay [ http://www.linuxandmain.com/essay/sgordon.html ] on the difficulties of using a GPL licence on a product - it seems to me that the problems described are caused more by people than by the licence itself.
Stephen Figgins seems to think that Mr. Gordon is merely a whiner [ http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/1217 ] and shouldn't be charging for source.
What's your take on using the GPL on commercial software?
Desperation is a stinky cologne
My girlfriend says she has a yeast infection. Is it okay for us to engage in intercourse? I'm not so much concerned about her as I am about my schlong. Can this injure me?
So, she finally found out about Linus' and Taco's secret snotting sessions?
It looks like you never wrote any serious code, right? You can create all the wrappers you want, but the fact is you can't debug something you don't know how works.
It's impossible to create a definitive interface because Linux is still evolving, and will be doing so for a long time. Besides, that's what is it about! Openness. If you allow all the binary crap in the kernel the vendors want many of its advantages will go away. Kernel modules are already independent to some point. But Linux isn't Windows, the kernel changes. Interfaces will change.
What about making it easy to install hardware, that's what distributions are for. They come with everything compiled as modules and the system loads what's needed? Isn't that what you want?
I was stupid when choosing a video card and got a GeForce 2 MX. Now tell me how any programmer can debug something she can't see? nVidia's module already uses that wrapper idea you seem to like to much, and no, it ain't working. The Linux kernel is very modular. How do you know the module will work fine with a kernel with improvements? Some modules won't work with the preemption patch for example.
Sometimes I get kernel oopses after closing X. I'm sick of this, and will probably give up 3D acceleration soon and use nv instead. And look for a better manufacturer next time.
Do you think the number of linux-related jobs are growing significantly, and where especially?
;)
Can you find me one?
If you had the chance to sit down with Bill Gates (please assume that you had to) what would be the first question or comment you would pose?
- kk
Over the past year more than previous, more and more organizations have switched to Linux, however some companies (such as the Fortune 100 I work for) still struggle to get Linux in house. The question is, what technological advantage does Linux have over commercial UNIX systems? (aside from the multiple-platform idea)... and of course, what technological advancements will Linux have in the next 2-3 years that will truelly give Linux the advantage over traditional commercial UNIX systems in Fortune 100 companies where money really is not the issue?
What do you think about those 'Anal Cocks' jokes?
It looks like us PC hardware hackers are likely to have a much harder time in the next ten to twenty years as the average (desktop) PC becomes increasingly integrated. I see a trend away from the PC of today towards an increasingly closed 'black box' where the components are no longer a set of cards which are easily replacable. This is inevitable, especially at the lower end of the PC market, since increasing integration leads to lower costs for the manufacturers. Correspondingly, custom hardware will become more expensive and be increasingly restricted to the high end...
How do you think such a trend away from "open" hardware would affect open source development, especially at the lower end of the spectrum? As the computer becomes more and more of a mysterious black box, do you think that the would-be hardware hackers of tomorrow are more likely to turn towards software and application development, and would this be mostly good or mostly bad for open source software (more applications/systems programmers, but fewer hardware-level programmers)?
-Malcolm.
Sen vord is thrall and thocht is fre,
Keip veill thy tonge I conseill the.
Come on guys, piracy doesn't have anything to do with open source, or redhat, or the linux kernel. Ask real questions.
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World"
1 John 4:14
You once mentioned that how open the source was is largely irrelevant, what matters is open standards and interfaces. Apple has opened up some their code, but considering that large parts of the most important components are closed, and their interfaces are protected by patents and IP law, should OS X be seen as a threat to open computing?
Have you read the Moderator Guidelines yet?
--Lawrence Lessig for Congress!
Do you know jeff ('Yak') mintter ?
I agree -- that's a really lame question to have a mod of 5.
the quick answer: "It doesn't help to lock the barn doors once the cows get out. You can't just add security to an os which doesn't have it."
Name your horror scenario:
What incidents would compose a paralyzing blow to the Linux "momentum". Do you believe Linux is immune for the loss or sudden mental illness of 10 key persons for example? Why? Or could, these core people, including you, deliver a killing blow by poisoned decisions, for example?
Why the hell doesn't anyone ask this?
Oh wait, that's not my question to AC. This is:
I haven't been able to act against the DMCA much, because I'm not an American and thus haven't got much ground to criticise the American law system (even if I'd like to). But I'm Dutch and I would love to take any opportunity to act against restricting acts within Europe, of course. I've been informed by Slashdot lately that such acts are in the making. Some guy named Alan Cox seems very exited, but the article doesn't direct me, as European citizen proposing such laws, further.
...where the heck can I go?
"We can confirm that Debian does *not* ship the version with the trojan horse. Our version predates it." [CA-2002-28]
8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
1 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning
1 jar (7 ounces) roasted red bell peppers, drained
1/2 pound fully cooked smoked sausage, cut in 1/4-inch slices
2 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1. Cook and drain fettuccine as directed on package.
2. While fettuccine is cooking, place whipping cream, Creole seasoning and bell peppers in blender or food processor. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth.
3. Pour pepper mixture into 12-inch skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Stir in sausage; heat through but do not boil.
4. Serve sausage mixture over fettuccine. Sprinkle with onions.
I agree -- that's a really lame question to have a mod of 5.
the quick answer: "It doesn't help to lock the barn doors once the cows get out. You can't just add security to an os which doesn't have it."
That should read:
the wrong answer: "It doesn't help to lock the barn doors once the cows get out. You can't just add security to an os which doesn't have it."
Does this mean that Linux has been secure since the first line of code was written?
...and the same goes for Apache?
...Sendmail?
...SSH?
You're saying, "You can't add this feature because it hasn't been added"
Security is a feature, not unlike an integrated web browser. Granted, it is a feature which has many cross-cutting concerns, and would require reworking many parts of Windows. However, it can and it WILL be done. Only a great fool would fail to recognize it.
Several people asked about his feelings. Some asked about what he does besides kernel hacking. Half of the answer is here: Alan's diary, the other half is here: Alan's wife's diary. I don't think it would be appropriate to mail him questions already answered repeatedly in the diary.
yes
Do you think that the time has come for Linux and the GPL to part ways? Linus has already expressed his distaste for Stallman.
Since she won't let him grow a beard, it would be an error to presume she allows him to have sex with her.
Probably, he's a cuckold, allowed to watch while someone who's a stud balls her.
Likely someone who works for Sun, Microsoft, Oracle. One of those commercial programmer dudes.
What a goddess!
AC has taken a stand against the DMCA and he is a European. There are a lot of us who would like to know his take on fighting some of the excesses in the US IP area that are being planned for introduction in the EU. I would include software patents in this as well.
See my journal, I write things there
To be honest the future of Open Source hasn't looked to good lately.
May 1st I thought the world would be changing for the better. Debian Woody was about to get stamped stable, and Mozilla was about to get stamped 1.0.
Since then it is clear Woody is still a mess, and what the hell are the Mozilla developers doing.
M$ has said in numerous documents it isn't worried about the Open Source movement because no one person controls it and it doesn't have a clear enough vision to effect them.
They are of course, right.
Do you think people should be content using Linux and open software as pretty much a hobby or can we do something to prove M$ wrong?
Drive a Lincoln Navigator 500 miles.
SYSOP ('sih-sop) n.: the guy laughing at your typing.
Yeah it annoys me too that NVidia keeps a lot of its hardware interfaces secret. Wish I hadn't got a GeForce 2 as well. Will buy different next time, just for the freedom.
That's right! Let's encourage the masses to use M$ software (and give M$ the power that comes with that) and we'll keep our little tight-knit hacker community and its software. That'll do us a lot of good when M$ makes its next closed interfaces... We're not at the mercy of proprietary interfaces at all, are we?
We'll just live in fairy-land. Noone can hurt us in our protected little fairy-land!
Alan, on your web site you have a link which if used by someone to make purchases on CDNOW translates to you getting credits. I use this link deliberately when I do purchases from CDNOW with the idea that you get rewarded for this. What I miss is some form of feedback: how many credits do you get, how often someone uses this link, how big is your CD collection, what are your favorites? Can you add something on your web site to indicate that for example this week, say "10 people purchased from CDNOW and I feel happy".
-petar
fucking cocksucker- mod that down!
Alan, after all your years in the field, what do you think is the biggest problem in Unix,and linux in general that is still unaddressed?
With things like the DCMA seeming to spread out across the world, and worse bills on the horizon, how worse do you think it is going to get before people come to their senses, and things come around. More importantly, do you see things ever turning around?
...I can't think of anything more boring and done-to-death to waste one of the 10 questions on.
-Kasreyn
Kasreyn: Cheerfully playing the part of Devil's Advocate to hairtrigger
Alan, What do you run? which kernel, window manager, desktop, widgets, editors, and favorite programs?
Just my opinion, but I think I'd consider microsoft defeated when they're nolonger defined as the second richest country in the world.
ntnt
Kasreyn: Cheerfully playing the part of Devil's Advocate to hairtrigger
Do you think that GNU/Linux will ever be finished? I mean, that baring minor tweeks to support new hardware devices, will everything be completly finished. Nothing left to improve on, no more bells to ring, no more whistles to blow. And if not then what is 'good enough'?
zenray
Hmm... this is completely offtopic, but a girl I used to know... her dad's full name was Dick Harry Siemens. Not Richard mind you, Dick. Where do parent get off thinking they have the right to name their kid something that obviously mind-bendingly evil?
You mean non-free, or proprietary. Why is it that so many people who seemingly care about these issues have neither used their own sense of logic to work this out already, or read what the FSF has to say about the common misuse of this term.
I have heard Alan Cox speak in public and was very impressed by how reasonable he is.
> don't do it. That should be argument enough
I think the Anonymous Coward accidentally has a relevant point.
It is quite likely that he would not make much effort to convince a user to switch, he seemed to be a firm believer of "the right tool for the right job". Of course you dont have to throw out or even stop using either windows or mac to also use Linux. As to compatibility Wine has gotten much much better.
Seeing as you have already paid for windows you may as well keep using it for all your legacy stuff as long as it lasts. Keep in mind that all Microsoft Operating systems are not the same, windows XP is a fair bit different from Windows 95 and a earth shatteringly different from windows 3.11
Linux, try it you might like it!
n/t
Also, have you ever met Bruce Perens in real life?
:-)
And if you did.. did you kick his ass?
Sorry lil script kiddie - you'll likely break down in tears after knocking your head agaist the wall to break into the box via tux. ain't gonna happen.
BTW khttpd is one thing, tux is quite another.
khttpd was an experiment, and there has been talk of removing it from the mainstream kernel.
Tux OTOH is actively maintained by Red Hat & Ingo Molnar, and last time I checked it was the specweb champ for 1,2 and 4 way systems.
It blows away apache performance-wise, and uses less CPU time doing it.
It's not widely publicized, but it IS happening, when lawmakers get hundreds (or more) of letters with a disticnt opinion on a topic. It puts lawmakers in the uncomfortable position of listening to voters as opposed to campaign contributors. Which is WHY it's not widely publicized - "If those darn voters start getting intersted, I'm going to have to do some real WORK, the bastards".
I think Alans comment on the EFF is off-base. The OSS community is a loose confederation of geeks ("Bazaar" in The Cathedral and the Bazaar). I don't speak for everyone, but I don't want to be associated with any one group, I enjoy the freedom and chaotic nature of OSS and the "community". Not to say I don't support some of what the EFF does, but I'll not join a group to give political power to a group when the power of the masses is of greater concern. If they have something worthwhile I want to support, I'll do it, otherwise I'll ignore it.
As long as I'm discussing geeks "acting up", why don't some folks go take a whack at RIAA?
Computer Science is Applied Philosophy
Then proove it. :-P
MSBPodcast.com The opinions expressed here are my own. If you don't like 'em... Think up your own stuff.
Alan, When will we have a stable untouchable vm? Will it be based on Van Rikel's or Arcangelli's ?
Scenario:
Which politicans do you feel are the most "tech-friendly"?
You have the answer of why linux user interfaces still have so many usability problems.
Ergonomica Auctorita Illico!