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Taiwan Asks Microsoft To Open Windows Source
Andy Tai writes "According to this China Times article (in Chinese), the Republic of China government has asked Microsoft to open Windows source code. The official, Lin Jua-Cheng, in charge of the 'e-government' initiative, says many other countries have also sent similar requests to Microsoft. Lin explains that without Windows source code, the government cannot add custom firewall functionalities to Windows based systems in wide use, and that is very bad for the information security of Taiwan. Microsoft refused to publicly release the source in the past using reasons of copyright protection, but Lin emphasizes this request is reasonable since it is based on (government users') necessity." Read on for a bit more, too. (Can anyone suggest an online Chinese English translation engine that produces other than gibberish?)
Andy continues "Lin points out that GNU/Linux systems, because of their freeness and high security (due to the availability of the source code, which can be modified to add firewalls and other security measures), have become widely used in government computer systems (especially in militaries and intelligence agencies) of many nations and the Pentagon, the FAA, and the air force of the U.S. Lin says the government cannot rely on a single vendor, and to promote the alternatives, the government has set up a 'Free (libre) Software Steering Committee' directing government efforts. The two aims of the ROC government's current software policy is making Windows source code openly available and the development of Free (libre) Software in Taiwan."
, the government cannot add custom firewall functionalities to Windows based systems in wide use, and that is very bad for the information security of Taiwan.
Sure, because I need to look at the windows source to know that I need to enable HTTP to this server, SMTP to that server, etc etc.
It isn't surprising to me that Microsoft won't open the source. I've even asked them a few times, and they just won't budge!
I guess the obvious answer would be to use something other that Windows. I hear this Finnish kid is working on something.
Let them eat SH[ared Source]IT.
Research shows that 67% of those who use the term "research shows", are just making shit up.
No, that's the PEOPLE'S republic of China. This is the Republic of China, which ironicly treats it's people alot better.
(Can anyone suggest an online Chinese English translation engine that produces other than gibberish?)
Here's a translation:
- We would like Microsoft to open the source code for Windows.
- We would also like the drug companies to develop a cure for cancer in the next year or so
- It would be ideal if the Israelis and Palestinians could come to some sort of agreement
- We propose that all record companies make their content available for free, so that all consumers who like the songs will send in a reasonable payment for each song, while consumers who don't like the song will delete it.
All completely reasonable propositions !
If Microsoft actually goes along with this, will it mean that I'll be able to buy a CD-ROM of the Windows source code for $0.99 or whatever on the streets of China?
Of course not!
That's too much code to fit on a CD, you'll have to buy a DVD on the streets of China.
What does this question mean for what we understand by "Open Source"?
Employee of Inrupt, Project Release Manager and Community Manager for Solid
If Microsoft actually opened the source, how long until we see the Taiwanese operating system called Doors 200X or something?
This post is free (as in cheese in a mousetrap).
TAIWAN: PLZ GIVE US ALL OF UR SRC CODEZ
MICROSOFT: OMG!!11!! FUK U!
TAIWAN: OMG WE CULD CONBINE ARE SKILLZ AND BE ElITE!
MICROSOFT: OMG!!!! YES!!11!!!!!!!
Sorry.
oh, nevermind.
Today, in a landmark victory for Open Source activists, Microsoft released the source code to the popular operating system FreeBSD... umm, Windows XP. Story at eleven.
Microsoft responded to Taiwan's requests by recalling to Pearl Harbour the USS Carl Vinson and her battle group, currently in the Taiwan strait observing Chinese naval exercises. Micrsoft also suggested that further extensions of China's "most favoured nation" trade status may no longer be contingent upon Chinese non-aggression towards Taiwan.
Please donate your spare CPU cycles to help fight cancer and other diseases
whoa, this sounds like Tarzan english translation... 'me tarzan, be king of the jungle!'
Articulos para gente geek: Poleras, linux, libros y mas
For Taiwan, not a chance in hell. Not as long as the fatcats in this country can droolingly mumble "...one biiillion more cuuuustomerssss..." every time they give China the elevator glance, Tawiwan's going to get ignored. It's every capitalist's duty to screw over a democracy in favor of a communist regieme in the name of free trade... uh... yeah.
Now if China said something like, "Mr. Gates, if you don't give us the source to Windows we're gonna make Slackware the new Offically Mandated State Distro and Chinese citizen must then use it or be deemed a counter-revolutionary and we're firing up the CD-RWs now to start handing 'em out," well, i'd pay good money to be able to peek at the schizoid explosion that'd cause in ol' Bill's brain, i would.
That which does not kill us makes us... st
... should have been:
"Sure, just show is the license for even one copy that you're running."