Open Source Code And War

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Posted by timothy on Wednesday February 26, 2003 @06:40AM from the four-star-specific dept.

"Should Open Source developers help the U.S. prepare for war with Iraq?" Roblimo has a piece on NewsForge which addresses that question by showing a specific way that the U.S. military is using Free and Open Source software (in simulator-based training for Blackhawk helicopters), and letting one of the developers involved speak for himself. If software is Free, doesn't that already answer the question of who can use it?

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Ender's game by SnowDeath · 2003-02-26 06:43 · Score: 5, Funny

Now, if only they would distribute the software for the simulators or even run "Arcades" with networks of these thing setup, we could have 8 year old fighter veterans!
1. Re:Ender's game by B3ryllium · 2003-02-26 07:12 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  On the other hand, does this mean that open-sourcing Windows could be considered an act of war?
Yup! Not good at all... by Greger47 · 2003-02-26 06:43 · Score: 4, Funny

Now the Iraqi pilots get get up to snuff in their large fleet of Blackhawk choppers using US simulators!
1. Re:Yup! Not good at all... by knightinshiningarmor · 2003-02-26 06:46 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  "Mr. Hussein! We're running out of quarters for our helicopters!"
I have no problems... by Cyno · 2003-02-26 06:58 · Score: 4, Funny

with my government using open source software to fight terrorists...

as long as they...

don't call me a terrorist.
Re:muslims are all evil! by st0rmcold · 2003-02-26 07:02 · Score: 4, Funny

In Canada we have the same sort of kiosk's to talk about the US.

It's called a hockey game

--
Posting useless rant since 2003.
Re:Not with my source codes! by charon_on_acheron · 2003-02-26 07:03 · Score: 4, Funny

Better watch out there. You are coming close to mentioning a certain time in history with a certain war started by a certain leader of a certain country that did certain things to certain people in certain parts of the world. And once you do that someone gets to say "You lose." I know it's a strange rule, but that's how everyone else plays.
Oh no!!! by ucblockhead · 2003-02-26 07:08 · Score: 4, Funny

You mean that the government could use my GPL'd Winamp plugin for military purposes!?

Oh crap...the thought of my software being used to kill Iraqi children is just too much to bear...[sob]

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The cake is a pie
Re:Drinking games by petong · 2003-02-26 07:46 · Score: 5, Funny

If I had all the money I'd ever spent on beer, I would go out and buy some beer!
Get some priorities! by Thud457 · 2003-02-26 07:57 · Score: 5, Funny

"the only thing I hold higher in regard above my beer is the prospect of getting more beer! "
Dude, your head is screwed on backwards! The prospect of getting more beer should be priority #2 after you deal with item #1 on the agenda, the beer currently in front of you.
Sheesh. Kids these days. I weep for America.

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the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Source for War by LittleBigScript · 2003-02-26 08:11 · Score: 5, Funny

#include
#include
#include
#include

int main()
{
cout "Attack!" endl;

while ((War==True) && (!Over_And_We_All_Go_Home_Heros))
{
Bomb();
}

return 0;
} //Ok let's see if it will run without //War being declared...
Re:open by Fnkmaster · 2003-02-26 11:20 · Score: 4, Funny

Bears don't commit armed robbery...

The Right To Keep and Bear Arms is about more than target shooting or hunting...

Well, let's get the story straight mister. Either we have the right to Keep And Arm Bears, or we don't.