SCO's Roadshow Coming Soon

AndyFewt writes "TheRegister has an article on the latest form of SCO FUD, their Roadshow. Funded by HP and kicking off on Oct. 7, SCO users throughout the U.S. and Canada can get their chance to go show Darl just how much they "love" SCO. But of course, Linux users are free to attend."

Comments

What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[waitigetit]

I posted this in a previous SCO thread, but I'm reposting it here, because it's the best answer I can think of to explain SCO's "business model"

What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

Darl gets a big fat payoff if he can deliver four straight profitable quarters. Most of it is in stock, which means he'll have to keep up the fiasco for extra quarter or two to cash out.

At that point, I think we can expect him to leave SCO -- if there is any SCO left to leave. Maybe the final legal showdown will be Darl v. Ralph, to be filed in late 2004 or early 2005. We all know how much Darl loves to sue his employers.

Anyway, this means the SCO v. IBM case is not likely to ever make it to court because there's *no* motivation for Darl to go that far.

In the meantime, he'll do whatever it takes to show profit on the next two or three 10-Q's. He'll slash personnel, support, anything, doesn't matter how it affects SCO's long term prospects, as long as he shows profits each quarter.

He'll try to get people to pay for SCO IP in Linux licenses NOW, not after the case is resolved in court, because he doesn't care what happens that far down the line.

He needs the money on the books and in the 10-Q next quarter and the following quarter. He's got two profitable quarters in a row now, though he probably wouldn't have made it this quarter without cutting personnel and associated costs. Two more to go, and he's golden.

If he hasn't done it already, we can expect some *extremely* creative accounting over the next two quarters. Personally, I think that asset listed as "Goodwill" is just the start of SCO's attempts at creative accounting. Or maybe more money from MS. MS, according to the latest 10-Q (available at SEC), has apparently purchased those "expanded licensing options" that were mentioned in the April 30 10-Q.

Darl's biggest fear is that something will shut down SCO and/or it's FUD machine within the next two-three quarters. If he sounds irrational and afraid, well, that's because he is. He can't pull any more profits out of Germany. Australia, Austria, and Poland are lining up to gag him in their countries. Red Hat's trying to do the same in the U.S. Of course, none of this matters much as long as no court decisions are reached within the next 3 quarters. Which means delay, delay, and delay will be SCO's legal strategy going forward.

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Jaywalk]

Anyway, this means the SCO v. IBM case is not likely to ever make it to court because there's *no* motivation for Darl to go that far.

Actually, he does have motivation. If he makes it obvious that the scheme is a pump and dump, he runs afoul of the SEC and shareholders, who will bleed him white with lawsuits. Even if he doesn't believe it, he has to act like he thinks the case has merit and that SCO actually does own the entire UNIX universe. A poor business decision is not a punishable offense, fraud is.

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Anonymous Coward]

Its been clear all along that SCO never intended visiting a court. The first plan (force an inflated price IBM buyout) fas failed. The fallback plan is to bleed all the money out of the company before the court appearance, at that point they no longer care because any fines simply can't be paid - SCO will be an empty shell. Darl gets his share of the leeching along the way.

Most of the bleeding semms to be conversion of SCO shares into other Canopy group property. Fortunately IBM has spotted that plan and are following the assets. When SCO falls the asset strippers are going down with it. Not quite what they planned.

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Anonymous Coward]

My foot in his ass if he comes to DC....

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyway, this means the SCO v. IBM case is not likely to ever make it to court because there's *no* motivation for Darl to go that far.

Actually, he does have motivation. If he makes it obvious that the scheme is a pump and dump, he runs afoul of the SEC and shareholders, who will bleed him white with lawsuits.

Simple, after he cashes-out his options, Darl steps down "for health reasons". All you Linux fanatics drove him out you know. You were just too hard on poor Darl. Won't that make a nice press release. :-)

In fact, from what I've read, I expect all the top SCO execs to leave for one reason or another before the lawsuit reaches the courtroom and fall-guys hired to take their places.

All Darl has to do is swear to his dying day is that he believed that his case had merit. And if it weren't *cough* *cough* for his health problems, he would have seen the case through and *cough* *cough* he would have been vindicated *cough*.

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Theatetus]

When SCO falls the asset strippers are going down with it.

SCO's assets include strippers? I want to work there now...

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[penguin7of9]

MS, according to the latest 10-Q (available at SEC), has apparently purchased those "expanded licensing options" that were mentioned in the April 30 10-Q.

Does that then mean MS has expanded its in-house use of Linux? :-)

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[PolR]

Anyway, this means the SCO v. IBM case is not likely to ever make it to court because there's *no* motivation for Darl to go that far.

It will get to court for some of the very same reasons that cause Darl to have no motivation to get there. IBM will not drop its countersuits. Never forget they are two to have a vote on this.

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Anonymous Coward]

> Anyway, this means the SCO v. IBM case is not likely to ever make it to court because there's *no* motivation for Darl to go that far.

Seems you are right:
United States District Court for the District of Utah: SCO Grp v Intl Bus Mach Inc
They try to defer it:
"Motion by SCO Grp to extend time"..., anybody surprised?

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[Anonymous Coward]

Especially strippers who go down. :-)

Re:What Does Darl Get Out Of It?

[MuParadigm]

Hey, that's mine!!!

Fucking karma-troll.

It's here: http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=78794&cid=6982 828.

You would think people would know better than to plagiarise from the same bulletin board they're posting to. Moron.

Slashdot Press

[Davak]

Slashdot needs to learn to treat SCO like a child. Just ignore their attention-grabbing techniques!

Hell, if slashdot didn't have 4 SCO stories a day, average shmucks like me wouldn't know or care! Quit elevating them to a position of importance!

Sorry. Rant off. Down with SCO. They suck, etc.

Davak

Re:Slashdot Press

[LordKaT]

I'm starting to agree. Every little piece of SCO information - even the ones that don't directly deal with the lawsuit - are getting posted on Slashdot. It's time we stop documenting every breath Daryl & Co. make and start focusing on stuff that actually matters.

--LordKaT

Re:Slashdot Press

[thesupraman]

Actually, I would say this is one of the more useful SCOish pieces for a while - SCO coming out into the wild and talking to people could quite likely backfire on them if the masses can get a little organised.

I'm not of course talking about the crowds of screaming protesters approach here, but with a little consideration, organisation, and information a lot of their FUD spreading could be turned around on them.

To me this looks like a great opportunity - if this doesn't backfire on them, nothing will, IMHO.

Of course they may be hoping for, and may unfortunately get masses of idiots there making the non-SCO *nix comunity look like the revolting peasants, lets hope not.

A list of 'standard' questions should be distributed to be asked of SCO at these events, and the list should be tuned and improved as we find out what they have the most trouble answering.

Nothing scares these kinds of lawyers like an organised and informed public!

Re:Slashdot Press

[Anonymous Coward]

"Slashdot needs to learn to treat SCO like a child. Just ignore their attention-grabbing techniques!"

Yyeah - slap them across the face and tell them to shut the fuck up!

I'll turn up. How many copyright infringing CDs shall I press up. If infringement is a criminal act, perhaps they'd better call the police while I'm there.

Re:Slashdot Press

[mr_sas]

you mean articles about american cable companies prices? that sort of thing?

or about how some guy is connecting to the internet in the middle of australia?

I agree more of this type of world changing news should be posted more often

Re:Slashdot Press

[richie2000]

with a little consideration, organisation, and information

I consider organizing a good old-fashioned pitchfork-and-torches party, stay tuned for more information.

Re:Slashdot Press

[Intosi]

I for one suffer from a Slashdot SCO overkill.. It even pushed me as far as posting a non-funny, troll-like post... I'd really like to see Slashdot go back to it's core business -- news for nerds, stuff that matters.

Re:Slashdot Press

[EmagGeek]

"backfire on them if the masses can get a little organised"

Think for a minute....

Yeah, disappointing isn't it?

Re:Slashdot Press

[Anonymous Coward]

A couple of us tried to get the LUGs in the Missouri/Kansas area to attend the SCO show in St Louis but no one showed any interest in actually putting forth any physical effort to counter SCO's attacks. I was even willing to try and rent a meeting room in the hotel they were in as a base of operations. I would have to have left my two kids and wife for a couple days, taken time off from work, and driven 4 - 5 hours to get there, but I was willing to go. So it's not like it was convenient for me to do.

So in short, your comment sounds good in theory but the majority of Open Source users who like to talk about raging against the machine in forums are actually just spewing hot air. Good luck trying to organize a group of individuals anywhere besides a freaking mailing list.

Re:Slashdot Press

[Exatron]

I've been stockpiling torches and pitchforks just in case an angry mob was needed. Looks like I might get a chance to use them.

Re:Slashdot Press

[Hugh George Asm]

> Nothing scares these kinds of lawyers like an organised and informed public!

This is mearly posturing. The show itself is meaningless. Seats are limited to 50 people per show!! The point of the roadshow is to tell people who ARE NOT THERE what they missed, and to make SCO appear to be a big, vibrant operation that requires road shows. When they talk about it, they won't mention that it was a volkswagon bus with 1 stoned driver talking to 50 sleeping people. The'll make it sound like you missed the world if you weren't there.

It's all an illusion, smoke and mirrors, because they're banking on the fact that most people are ignorant, and have no clue what a farce their company has become. Future customers--but especially future investors who don't know SCO-- might be impressed by this circus act.

Re:Slashdot Press

[drakaan]

Stories that lead to bitching about how SCO is bad doesn't qualify as "News for Nerds"??? Dear god, man (or woman...less likely, but possible), what *does*?

Re:Slashdot Press

[richie2000]

It's time we stop documenting every breath Daryl & Co. make

Agreed. Unless it's the last breath, I'd really like to know about that one. And soon.

Re:Slashdot Press

[Anonymous Coward]

Inspector Linus von Kernel: Herr Doktor McBridenstein, der haf been rumors dat you haf been exxxperimenting mit der licensing monster.

Re:Slashdot Press

[mattdm]

Hell, if slashdot didn't have 4 SCO stories a day, average shmucks like me wouldn't know or care! Quit elevating them to a position of importance!

Average schmucks don't read slashdot. And I'm not saying this to praise the l33tness of /. -- obviously it's Not Very. But the segment of geeks that visit here is relatively narrow. Meanwhile, SCO has a pretty much free reign in the mainstream press, where their statements go largely unchallanged and their press releases go to print as news. It doesn't hurt to have a few channels for the real story. I'm not likely to go digging up SCO stories, but I like that I can follow along by checking in here.

Re:Slashdot Press

[kjshark]

If there's a limit of 50 seats, I suggest filling registering with fake names so no one shows up !

Re:Slashdot Press

[Anonymous Coward]

All it takes is a linux contributor to ask why SCO continues to violate his copyrights for code located in such-and-such file at lines... etc.

SCO's response -
Simpsons reference - Mr. Burns: "This party is over". SS troops march in and rough up the crowd.

Re:Slashdot Press

[andreMA]

A very interesting question could be posed by a contributor to the kernel, asking when SCO is going to stop violating his copyright by distributing in violation of the GPL...

Re:Slashdot Press

[Anonymous Coward]

This is the stuff that matters, if you don't think so then why are you posting here? What exactly is it about a company attacking Linux, the GPL, and open source in general that you think doesn't matter?

Re:Slashdot Press

[Gleef]

Hugh George Asm wrote:

It's all an illusion, smoke and mirrors, because they're banking on the fact that most people are ignorant, and have no clue what a farce their company has become. Future customers--but especially future investors who don't know SCO-- might be impressed by this circus act.

I find it particularly telling that, while they have no showing in New York City, they have one in Newark, NJ. To be blunt, Newark is the place to go if you want to be in the New York metropolitan area, but also want to discourage New Yorkers from coming.

Re:Slashdot Press

[nocomment]

Slashdot needs to learn to treat SCO like a child. Just ignore their attention-grabbing techniques!

I disagree with you there. I think SCO needs more attention. Give them all the free PLUG's they want!

Re:Slashdot Press

[Anonymous Coward]

Make SCO look useless.

Sign up to attend trying to fill up as many seats as possible with Linux people. Meet outside before the start. Then send in only ONE person from the group. Sit in the back with a video camera and record McBride talking to an empty room.

Show a few of these empty road show videos and people will see SCO as an empty useless company. The masses respond to popularity like nothing else. They follow the popular and avoid the unpopular.

Re:Slashdot Press

[FyRE666]

The point of the roadshow is to tell people who ARE NOT THERE what they missed, and to make SCO appear to be a big, vibrant operation that requires road shows.

Damn, if only this crowd of thousands of technology geeks could muster up a single video camera between them... No, I suppose that's just crazy talk....

Re:Slashdot Press

[eniu!uine]

"Hell, if slashdot didn't have 4 SCO stories a day, average shmucks like me wouldn't know or care! Quit elevating them to a position of importance!"

We can't eliminate these stories. This is our three minutes of hate.

Re:Slashdot Press

[pyrrhonist]

Newark is the place to go if you want to be in the New York metropolitan area, but also want to discourage New Yorkers from coming.

It's also the place to go if you want to discourage people from New Jersey from attending.
Seriously, I'm originally from NJ, and Newark scares the heck out of me.

Re:Slashdot Press

[Tony-A]

Right. It's fairly certain that SCO will go down. Hard.
But exactly how, when, where and why do matter. And all of the suff that leads up to it does matter.
It may be repeats. It may be boring. But it does matter. (And I'm being boring.) But it still matters.
My crystal ball is pretty murky, but it looks like a number of things will change significantly from pre-SCO to post-SCO. Historians will explain it 50 years from now.
It's a lot like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

Re:Slashdot Press

[shanen]

My prediction is that this is not intended to last more than one or two shows. That would involve ongoing expenses, and SCO doesn't need to spend money on anything except lawyers and FUD.

To maximize the FUD in this case, I predict they will schedule the first couple of "shows" where there are heavy concentrations of Linux users and Open Source fanatics. They will deliberately ignore questions of security and crowd control--and hope for a riot. Heck, they might even plant a few trained rabble rousers in the crowd just to make sure.

After the resulting riot, they'll cry and scream about how SCO has to defend "law and order" against the mindless mobs. Having achieved their actual purpose, the rest of the tour will be cancelled.

Hrmm

[acehole]

Door to Door FUD, my what an age we live in!

Re:Hrmm

[Paracelcus]

IMHO, Linux is to SCO (Openserver or Unixware) what a Stegosaur is to a Velociraptor!

They (SCO) are and have been fossilized and moribund for years now and should quietly go extinct.

I liked Yesterda's news better.

[joostje]

here it is.

The solution ;)

[DaneelGiskard]

1:30pm The SCO Solution for Identity Management

'nuff said...

Re:The solution ;)

[Trigun]

Or "Sams Teach Yourself How to Assume Everyone Else's Identity in Ten Days"

Seating is limited

[beef3k]

"Seating is limited so register for this FREE opportunity today!"

So if enough Linux users sign up for this thing it could quickly turn into "SCO's Rotten Egg Roadshow 2003" - or at least they won't reach such a broad audience.

Re:Seating is limited

[switched4OSX]

I think the writer was trying to give a hint:

"That might be why per city registration is capped off at 50 customers. Wouldn't it be funny if ambitious Linux users filled all of those spots? "

Should be an easy thing to do.

Re:Seating is limited

[LiquidCoooled]

"Seating is limited so register for this FREE* opportunity today!"


*by FREE we mean $699 per seat if you order now

Re:Seating is limited

[dthable]

Couldn't happen. I'm sure the SCO sales weasels are pushing existing customers in those cities to attend. If SCO offered me a day from work to sleep through some management BS, I'd do it and might actually behave.

Re:Seating is limited

[MuParadigm]

Actually, I've already got a seat reserved. I'm certainly not an existing customer, although I did buy Caldera's Open Linux in 1998. And my opinion on SCO is certainly no secret: check out this journal entry for further elucidation.

Or you could check out the first post in this thread, which some karma-troll copied from one of my previous posts.

Don't buy their story!

[TopShelf]

Yeah, Linux users may attend free, but then on their way out Darl will try to charge them $699, claiming that somebody else gave away the admission...

Re:Don't buy their story!

[Anonymous Coward]

but then on their way out Darl will try to charge them $699
after a couple of experiences of a quick sharp pain between his legs, he won't bother anymore

Cream pie?

[Short Circuit]

Are we going to see a cream pie in Darl's face?

It seems like the traditional response...

Yuck.

[iamatlas]

Road FUD. Careful you don't step in it.

--This post is published under the GPL, and therefore owned by SCOFUD.

I thought M$ already owned all the ones and zeros. Prior art to the SCO patents?.....

What to ask them?

[turambar386]

What should I ask SCO when I'm there if I get a chance to ask one question?

Re:What to ask them?

[noselasd]

One of

* Do you take bets on when you go bankrupt ?

* How much will you owe RedHat and IBM when the court is settled ?

* Will the 2 customers buying your "Linux license" get their money back
once your claims have been found false ?

Re:What to ask them?

[Scarblac]

Where can I get whatever it is you're smoking?

Re:What to ask them?

[mr_z_beeblebrox]

What should I ask SCO when I'm there if I get a chance to ask one question?

Ask what tcp/ip stack they use in their proprietary "IP".

Re:What to ask them?

[aug24]

"How come you chose as your public sample of 'infringing code' in Linux a routine which can easily be found in textbooks going back over thirty years? Surely this does not represent due diligence by your company, even if you have evidence of other, real, infringements."

Re:What to ask them?

[arth1]

What should I ask SCO when I'm there if I get a chance to ask one question?

Are you currently in, or have you been in negotiations with HP over HP buying SCO?

Regards,
--
*Art

Re:What to ask them?

[Priyadi]

I'm a Linux user attending your forum, however I haven't done any payment to SCO.

What you gonna do about that?

Re:What to ask them?

[dthable]

Will the 2 customers buying your "Linux license" get their money back once your claims have been found false ?

Can't get money from a company that folded.

Re:What to ask them?

[LarsWestergren]

"Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

Actually, I would prefer to ask it of just about anyone in the current US government, but Darl will do.

Re:What to ask them?

[Anonymous Coward]

Sure you can, we got $10.000 from a company 9 months after it was bankrupt. All their equipment were sold, and we were paid from the money of that.

Re:What to ask them?

[bfields]

What should I ask SCO when I'm there if I get a chance to ask one question?

Based on previous stories the best thing to bring may just be a digital camera good enough to reproduce the text of any slides....

But personally I think it's most interesting to ask when we'll see evidence to allow us to evaluate SCO's claim that Linux infringes SCO's copyright. They seem to like the idea of turning this into a "free" vs. "proprietary" debate, which is of course just an attempt to draw attention from the main question of whether there's actually any infringement going on.

--Bruce Fields

Re:What to ask them?

[MindStalker]

Best way to place this wager is to short the stock. Sadly its hard to find a bookie (stockbroker) right now to take this wager.

Re:What to ask them?

[mikeee]

"Will you be indemnifying SCO users against violation of IBM's patents?"

Re:What to ask them?

[Lost Penguin]

Are you currently in, or have you been in negotiations with HP over HP buying SCO?

A better Question:

Are you currently in, or have you been in negotiations with Satan over Satan buying SCO?

Another:

Are you currently in, or have you been in negotiations with Nigeria over Nigeria buying SCO?

Re:What to ask them?

[mec]

"Our balance sheet is healthy. Our revenues are up, and we have had two profitable quarters and are expecting more."

"Nothing. IBM owes us $3 billion in damages and we intend to collect. We have no plans to sue Red Hat at this time."

"Our claims are valid and substantial".

Those are lame questions. If you ask those questions, you're just going to give SCO a springboard to make positive statements about the company.

My suggestion:

"Is there any GPL code in your new SCO Authentication product?"

[If the answer is yes] "Do you respect the GPL license on that code?"

Re:What to ask them?

[John Hasler]

"Will you be indemnifying SCO users against violation of Linux copyrights?"

Free indeed

[91degrees]

But of course, Linux users are free to attend."

They wil later becharged a $699 admission fee when SCO decides that they were actually trespassing.

Re:Free indeed

[Overly Critical Guy]

"Insightful?" Crackhead mods, I swear.

Re:Free indeed

[91degrees]

To be honest, I'm kinda surprised I got a "funny" modifier.

Will they be teaming up with PBS?

[k98sven]

I'd sure like to have a price estimate on my old copy of Sys V..

The REAL news

[Anonymous Coward]

At the end of the day who cares about SCO, really? The real news is HP. Are we going to let HP think that it's okay to back SCO. That's the REAL question.

Re:The REAL news

[mr_z_beeblebrox]

Are we going to let HP think that it's okay to back SCO.

I sure am. I think it would be cool if Compaq tech support started answering their phones like this:
"HP Compaq Tech support, a tiny division of a Big Blue Monolith. How can I help you?"

Re:The REAL news

[mistered]

SCO's page for their city tour doesn't mention HP. It says it's sponsored by "Microlite." Perhaps it's the same as the SCO Forum -- maybe HP forgot about their association with this event and when they were reminded about it they told SCO that HP wanted nothing to do with them.

Re:The REAL news

[generic-man]

I think it would be cool if Compaq tech support started answering their phones. Instead, I have to wait 30 minutes before I get an operator who takes down my name, computer's serial number, and problem description -- and then places me in a 60-minute queue to speak with a tech.

Re:The REAL news

[vsprintf]

I think it would be cool if Compaq tech support started answering their phones like this: "HP Compaq Tech support, a tiny division of a Big Blue Monolith. How can I help you?"

I think it would be cool if they would just start answering the phone.

Re:The REAL news

[mec]

That's pretty cool. First the page said "Sponsored by HP" with a big HP logo. Then there was an HP logo, but no "Sponsored by". Then the "Sponsored by" came back. Now the whole logo is gone.

Like the Antiques Roadshow?

[Dancin_Santa]

If you bring your copy of Linux will they tell you what they think it's worth?

Re:Like the Antiques Roadshow?

[CGP314]

SCO Roadshow guy: Hmmmm.... Red Hat... 6.3... That was a good year... yes... I'd say this is worth about -$699.95 to you.

Re:Like the Antiques Roadshow?

[kurosawdust]

"Ooh, an original Yggdrasil CD-ROM! This is extremely rare; you should consider yourself very lucky."

"Yeah I found it in my parents' attic underneath a copy of VRML Unleashed and The 1994 Complete Internet Yellow Pages. I have some other stuff I was hoping you'd look at too..."

"...Stradawhovius?"

Re:Like the Antiques Roadshow?

[Anonymous Coward]

The SCO Roadshow guy must be an expert since RedHat never released a version 6.3.

Re:Like the Antiques Roadshow?

[u-235-sentinel]

Personally I would return my unopened box of Caldera Linux. Version 6 sucked. I've been using RedHat and SUSE for years. Figured returning the Caldera box would save in landfills and wasted space on my shelf.

Re:Like the Antiques Roadshow?

[the_archivist]

Dont forget to ask for yr 699 when you return the Caldera

SCO's latest filings

[eddy]

SCO's stalling.

Docket Text: Motion by SCO Grp to extend time until 2/4/04 for pla to amd pleadings and add parties

So, any guess on parties?

Re:SCO's latest filings

[Short Circuit]

Probably a keggar before and after they're defeated.

Re:SCO's latest filings

[bludstone]

no no no.

The Kegger is going to be after they finish selling all their SCO stock.

Re:SCO's latest filings

[eddy]

While SGI feels likely, it's also a little odd -- would SCO really want to combat the combined might of IBM and SGI? Ah, fsck it. Nothing makes sense with SCO anyhow.

Re:SCO's latest filings

[MrKinkade]

"Going Away" party?

Re:SCO's latest filings

[elvesRgay]

I found this off groklaw

Looks like they will be sueing SGI according to this filing.

We recently received a notice from SCO Group stating its intention to terminate our fully paid license to certain UNIX-related code, under which we distribute our IRIX operating system, on the basis that we have breached the terms of such license. We believe that the SCO Group's allegations are without merit and that our fully paid license is nonterminable.

Re:SCO's latest filings

[penguin7of9]

Beach parties, office parties, slumber parties, bachelor parties. Darl has to make up for a lifetime of repression from his church, and with his millions of ill-gotten gains, he finally can.

Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Psyborgue]

The same HP that ... no it can't be true. I am rapidly losing faith in society. When will corporations learn that this kind of "i love you i hate you" attitude will get them nowhere. Sheesh. Reminds me of my ex girlfriend. Seriously. The parralells are striking. These people belong on Jerry Springer.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[chadm1967]

I agree! What the Hell is HP doing sponsoring this show?

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

That was the only reason I read the article. I couldn't believe that HP would do such a thing.

I am not going to buy any HP produced or any products that HP may receive a royalty for.

That leaves........my BIC pen.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Psyborgue]

I just looked at Sco's site. It doesn't say anything about HP sponsoring. Perhaps this was a mistake of The Register. If it is. I suggest a moderator fix the article heading and append that HP is not sponsoring it.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[AstroDrabb]

What a stab in the back. Maybe it is time to send HP a few thousand emails of complaint to let them know that this kind of behaviour is not supported in the Linux community. What bone-head at HP thought this was a good idea? Talk about the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[MarcDuflot]

I just looked at Sco's site. It doesn't say anything about HP sponsoring. Perhaps this was a mistake of The Register.

I read the article at The Register yesterday and looked at the page at SCO. There was a logo about HP sponsoring. It was removed since then.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

it wouldn't surprise me if The Register claimed it was sponsored by Microsoft, IBM, or George W Bush. I always found their journalistic integrity to be... lacking. /. is a better source of news. (and ain't that crazy!)

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[leomekenkamp]

I used this link some time ago to state that I am often asked by people what they should buy (I'm considered to be a nerd). Because of the previous sponsor action for SCO Forum and because of hp-s abysmal support for linux drivers for their scanners, I now advice people to buy Epson, and bought an Epson scanner myself as well.

If enough people send notes like this, we might make a difference. Just remember to keep it simple and refrain from cursing and swearing.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[SpacePunk]

I urge everyone to use the email link on the HP site. This is what I sent, it's not a great work of literature, but it works.

I recently came across this article at
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/61/33098. html . I was considering
buying an HP printer to replace my aging one, but I think another
company will get my money, NOT HP. Also, as a technology consultant I
cannot recommend HP products of any kind to my clients if HP is going to be
involved with a company such as SCO. Association with SCO taints your
company in many ways/shapes/forms. I will only deal with companies
that behave ethically, and that keep ethical company. HP does not keep
ethical company.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

HP has always been evil. Carly Fiorina openly said that technology should be controlled by a few big players (aka total dominance by mega-corps) in BusinessWeek awhile ago. Yeah, we all know that a small team of motivated developers cannot achieve anything usefull.

HP is everything that is broken with American business.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[smkndrkn]

I chose this response instead:

I just read that HP will be sponsoring the SCO Roadshow http://www.sco.com/partners/city_to_city/oct2003/ and I am fairly disgusted. It has been suggested that the users of Linux write to you to explain that we will no longer be purchasing your printers. Thats fine and dandy if I was contemplating the purchase of one. However, I am not. What I am contemplating is the purchase of 10 servers from HP in order to replace our entire email system as well as DNS services and a ticketing system. After reading that you will be supporting SCO, who has tried to do more damage to the Linux community than any other company it the short history of Linux, I will be sure to recommend that we use one of your, more linux friendly, competitors.

Thank you and have a nice day,
Gary -name-removed
Systems Administrator
-company-removed

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Pembers]

A post further down says the page about the roadshow on the SCO site no longer mentions HP. Instead, it says the sponsor is a company called Microlite, whom I'd never heard of before today. From a cursory glance around their site, it appears they do backup systems for UNIX and Linux. I'd suggest letting them know how you feel about their sponsorship of these events, but they mention some SCO products by name, so presumably, they already have some idea of the kind of people they're dealing with...

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

the only difference between this and your "girlfriend" is that sco is actually f****** people up the ass.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[hackstraw]

The SCO page says its sponsered by Microlite, which appears to be backup solutions for SCO products (and Linux).

Doesn't everyone remember that HP was the main sponser of the SCO 2003 forum in Las Vegas, but they backed out because of the SCO linux licensing. You can read about it here.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[wawannem]

I now advice people to buy Epson

In a way, this is kind of funny... HP manufactures (mostly) all of Epson's products. That would be like screaming at Acura, then promising only to buy Honda in the future.

Good idea, poor execution:

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Lord Custos]

Thanks for the link.
Here's what I sent:

We have just discovered that HP is supporting the SCO Roadshow, and we are very, very dissappointed in HP.
We have since removed HP and Compaq from our list of Approved Vendors.

Also: We would like to remind you that your "ally" SCO is probably going to turn its blind rage in the direction of HP (and HP/UX) the instant SCO has finished suing IBM and SGI.

Thank You for your attention.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[leomekenkamp]

I have to admit you have sort of a point, but not all the way. Corporate image, a loyal customer base and strong brand names are pretty important. If hp were to loose all goodwill of all geeks in this world, the shareholders would certainly mind.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[wawannem]

You're right... I just meant to point out that buying Epson still puts some money in HP's (deep) pockets. As long as they own the fab plants, they will continue to make tons of dough. If enough customers defected, would be able to buy their own plants and wipe HP off the planet. Oh well :) I still say that it is a good idea voicing your disapproval of their actions, that is about the only real action the people can take.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

Poor Carry,
Does she know SCO anyway?

Good job guys, keep talking to Carry.

Re:Sponsored by HP !?!?!??!?!?

[Anonymous Coward]

Probably Carly. She's determined to ruin HP.

The Circus is coming to town

[LiquidCoooled]

*Hurry Hurry, step right up*

See the wonders of the world as the McBride circus comes to town.

Theres fun for the whole family, Magicians, cunjurers and clowns

Special Opening night treat, watch our ringmaster McBride walk the tightrope. 150foot above an IBM covered floor without a safety net!!

Re:The Circus is coming to town

[Anonymous Coward]

> *Hurry Hurry, step right up*

One cross each.

Re:To beat the various standard gags...

[chadm1967]

Is anyone else sick of the "In Soviet Russia" comments. They're not funny......

Just what we need

[SuperBanana]

But of course, Linux users are free to attend.

Great. World's first physical DDoS- if enough linux geeks show up, everyone else will want to leave, either because they'll be obnoxious, or look like something out of a cross between an RMS-lookalike-contest and a anti-globalism protest- and smell like one(take your pick on whether tear gas is a curse or a blessing with that crowd).

Here's an idea everyone- show up at these things impeccably dressed, clean cut, and be a perfect gentleman(or lady); wear only a small linux penguin pin like our lovely "patriots" in the US gov't are so fond of doing these days with the american flag pin. That will impress people far more than a freakshow, no matter how valid your ideas are. Rowdyness, immaturity, and messyness do not impress. They intimidate, scare, and irritate.

Show the world we're serious, because folks- the linux "community",unlike a real community, we have yet to stand up for ourselves, especially those whose work is being whole-heartedly claimed by someone else- writing opinion pieces, open letters, etc is not "standing up". Legal action is what we need, but showing up in person is a step; we need a face, and we need one better looking and more tactful than RMS.

Re:Just what we need

[mr_z_beeblebrox]

World's first physical DDoS- if enough linux geeks show up, everyone else will want to leave, either because they'll be obnoxious, or look like something out of a cross between an RMS-lookalike-contest and a anti-globalism protest- and smell like one(take your pick on whether tear gas is a curse or a blessing with that crowd).

Sounds like personal guilt, take a shower. The last few times "Linux" geeks have shown up to "evangelize" at my company they wore shirts and ties and carried "Thinkpads".

Re:Just what we need

[Anonymous Coward]

RTFP.

He said if you're going to show your Linux "pride" or what have you, to only wear a small Linux lapel pin. Doing this, as opposed to wearing your 5 y/o sweat-stained Linux t-shirt will garner some respect for the linux community.

Re:Just what we need

[eadz]

World's first physical DDoS?

where have you been?

Re:Just what we need

[Pharmboy]

Thanks for the link

I saw a news report where they were talking about flash mobs as an 'art'. (note the quotes ;) They had 200 people go into some mall and kneel down and start bowing and praying to this giant statue as if it were a god. Then, after 5 minutes, they all just got up and left. Some were chanting and raving like a bunch of snake handling Penticostals. They were mainly younger people, 18-25, T-shirts, lots of beards and long hair.

Its was pretty weird, and interestingly enough, entertaining.

Re:Just what we need

[SpacePunk]

"Here's an idea everyone- show up at these things impeccably dressed, clean cut, and be a perfect gentleman(or lady); wear only a small linux penguin pin like our lovely "patriots" in the US gov't are so fond of doing these days with the american flag pin. "

Well, most of this would keep RMS from showing up. Oh, wait, that's a good thing.

Re:Just what we need

[mistered]

Apparently not at fark.

Re:Just what we need

[IANAAC]

The last few times "Linux" geeks have shown up to "evangelize" at my company they wore shirts and ties and carried "Thinkpads".

Evangelizing and protesting, which is what it would be if zealots showed up at one of these things, are two entirely different things.

Re:Just what we need

[mr_z_beeblebrox]

Evangelizing and protesting, which is what it would be if zealots showed up at one of these things, are two entirely different things.

Not in the board room they're not. Both result in
"Pst...call security, something's wrong with him"

Re:Just what we need

[ThogScully]

I was thinking t-shirts with that "Peace, Love, Linux" logo on it that IBM plastered all over San Francisco (I think?) some years back.
-N

Re:Just what we need

[lone_marauder]

Here's an idea everyone- show up at these things impeccably dressed, clean cut, and be a perfect gentleman(or lady); wear only a small linux penguin pin like our lovely "patriots" in the US gov't are so fond of doing these days with the american flag pin. That will impress people far more than a freakshow, no matter how valid your ideas are. Rowdyness, immaturity, and messyness do not impress. They intimidate, scare, and irritate.

Your idea sounds good at first blush, but what is it you are trying to achieve? Your goal seems to be to attempt to gain legitimacy in a very general sort of way before making any points. I don't know of any historical example of an effective social movement whose goal was to establish legitimacy for idea X in the context of social structure Y without changing said social structure.

Changing an already established idea about something is necessarily a painful process. Trying to fade into the background will not get you noticed. It will get you ignored.

I think the problem is not a matter of technique, but of identity. I don't think we've really figured out who we are. Because of the sort of people we are, we tend to abhor conscously acting as part of a group, and when we do, we find that we're not quite so comfortable standing on the street with a sign next to that weird bearded dude with a lazy eye and a combover, wearing his stained homemade Mozilla 1.0 party T-shirt. Also, if you're in the older end of the genX crowd, you're old enough to despise the "protest anything" mentality of your 60's parents. The idea of behaving as they did, even in defense of the free exchange of ideas, is repugnant.

I think we might need to work out some of these issues before attempting any "protests", because I fear history will prove that much more is riding on our success than we might realize.

Re:Just what we need

[Anonymous Coward]

show up at these things impeccably dressed, clean cut, and be a perfect gentleman(or lady)

Yeah! Conform! That'll show 'em! Erm...

Re:Just what we need

[Anonymous Coward]

Legal action is what we need

And you're filing suit when?

Nah.... Re:Cream pie?

[bazik]

I vote for sharpend AOL CD's.

Re:Nah.... Re:Cream pie?

[Anonymous Coward]

AOL CD's with the edges sharpened!

Make mine "tossed"

[YetAnotherName]

I have a suspicion this Roadshow might be just the boost that America's and Canada's egg farmers need.

Not that I'm suggesting anything quite so blatantly immature. Don't stoop to SCO's level, please.

Re:To beat the various standard gags...

[Intosi]

That was exactly my point. This comment was just to point out it's gone to far with all those standard jokes... Why not combine them in one joke, leave it to one thread, and end it there?

Why oh Why???

[WwWonka]

We all know what is going to happen when SCO shows up in a city near you! Let's compare other events in history that would be comparable:

Ron Jeremy being a guest speaker at a pro-life rally.
A Hitler appearance at a local synagogue.
The Titanic's Captain holding a "Safe Sailing" seminar.
General US Grant showing up for the annual Southerners Cotton Picking Picnic.

Re:Why oh Why???

[TubeSteak]

Why do you have to bring Ron Jeremy into this? All you've done is made dear Darl more insecure about his masculinity. Thanks to you, the licensing fees are going up another notch.

And please, of course they had safe sailing seminars on the Titanic, its just that they were only for First Class passengers

Re:Why oh Why???

[bhima]

What do you mean?

Ron Jeremy is my Hero

If his isn't pro-insemination who is?

Hey! he could be a new spokesman for SCO: We're out to give you the big one!

Funded by HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

All of the articles I read about Sun on Slashdot end up mentioning Sun "funding" SCO regardless of the fact they were coming up to date on a 10 year old license.

Now, HP is directly funding SCO and nobody has mentioned anything yet. I was under the impression HP was another major friend of Linux who helped in development (such as LVM) and pushed Linux servers.

If this is true, who is on Linux side in the SCO vs IBM battle? Right now, it seems only Red Hat, IBM and the community. 50% of IBM's revenue comes from Global Services. Linux is a perfect opportunity to continue to expand this revenue since they are the only major player with both brand appeal and the size to appeal to almost any customer. With HP directly funding SCO to help them market their products they don't seem like much of a friend.

It looks like the OSS community might need to re-evaluate who their true friends are.

Re:Funded by HP?

[e40]

The language of the article is poor, and the paragraph after it says HP is the sponsor implies so merely because HP is protecting its customers.

If you follow the link to the SCO site, they say it is sponsored by Microlite (the logo on this page is the same as the one on the SCO page).

Re:Funded by HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

If you follow the link to the SCO site, they say it is sponsored by Microlite (the logo on this page is the same as the one on the SCO page).


I don't know what it says today, but I saw it yesterday, and yesterday it said HP was a sponsor.

Re:Funded by HP?

[Trailer Trash]

Probably not, but hard to say. Check out these two comments posted at groklaw:

Letter to president asking for clarification:
http://www.groklaw.com/article.php?story=200309170 54352198#c7446

Response from HP ("I took care of that..."):
http://www.groklaw.com/article.php?story=200309190 72508223#c7287

Re:Funded by HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Probably not, but hard to say.

Its not hard to say if you can read.

So go to the Register and read the story yourself, you priceless gem of humanity.

Re:Funded by HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't forget that Sun is a favorite whipping boy on Slashdot for way too many in the Linux community despite all the contributions that they have made to Linux(1), open source(2-7), and open standards(8-9). Sun contributes to the community, people don't care. Sun sells Linux, and they get insulted and ignored. (I suspect that a project to port Linux to a boombox would be looked upon more favorably on Slashdot than Suns attempt to sell Linux desktops by the millions, probably because Sun doesn't have the "right attitude" and drop Solaris for Linux. Oddly enough HP isn't slammed despite the fact that they still provide HP/UX, and IBM isn't slammed for providing AIX.) Sun tries to improve Solaris X86 by buying drivers after their customers howl over Sun almost killing it, and it's obviously a plot.

Sure, Sun is a for profit company, but so are Red Hat, SuSE, HP, and IBM. But they make good products, and have been community minded for a long time, more so than IBM or HP I think. (Sun at least dared to let you look at Solaris code. HP? IBM? No.) I think it is mindless that so many here have chosen them to be the favorite whipping boy over the others. (Or maybe its just envy since they have had such a prominent place in the *nix community for so long?) Certainly that is a position that IBM and HP would encourage.

I think too few in the Linux community can distinguish friend from foe.

Or maybe the Linux community has its own brand of fundamentalism.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Just to name a few of Sun's contributions:

1 - Paid for Linux NFS implementation
2 - Gnome code, making Gnome their default desktop (1st big vendor to do so)
3 - X11 Internationalization code
4 - Xemacs - Contributed $$$ for development
5 - Open Office (bought company, open sourced code)
6 - SunGrid software ( bought company, open sourced code)
7 - Supported continued Tcl/Tk development at Sun Labs and ports to other platforms
8 - NFS
9 - NIS

Re:Funded by HP?

[mec]

HP has not bought a SCO Source license. Sun has, for $7.5 million and counting. See the 10-Q's.

HP has not acquired warrants to buy stock in SCO, and Sun has. See the 10-Q's.

If there's any evidence that HP is supporting SCO, it's not showing up in SCO's 10-Q's.

HP decreased its existing support of SCO since SCO filed suit this year. HP pulled its sponsorship of SCO Forum, and I don't think they are not sponsors of this road show. SCO keeps trying to use HP's logo, but HP keeps making them stop.

Sun increased its existing support of SCO, and then lied about it. Sun tried to push the story that they paid up their license years ago, when in fact they were buying a secret license in February 2003.

Re:Funded by HP?

[mec]

You have a point. One side of Sun is viciously trying to kill Linux on servers, by funding SCO, as well as just ordinary business competition. But another side of Sun makes massive contributions to Linux on the desktop, specifically Open Office.

Sun has its own agenda. Sun attacks the aspects of Linux that hurt Sun's agenda and supports the aspects of Linux that contribute to Sun's agenda.

Re:Funded by HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Not just OpenOffice, they've made very important contributions to GNOME as well.

Re:Funded by HP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey, asswipe, do you believe __everything__ you read???

Re:Funded by HP?

[Trailer Trash]

I'm adding this for the historical record.

I just called Blake Stowell 5 minutes ago and asked. According to him, HP is still a sponsor, but they asked that their name be removed from the web site.

Ask to buy a licence

[eadz]

As far as I know, you still can't buy a so called SCO Linux licence.

If they ever have any Q&A sessions, some well formed questions about this would show the visitors that SCO is full of it.

My 2 on SCOx

[tetrahedrassface]

Does SCO even have a product anymore that is worth investing in? I would rather use microsoft than SCO now. Maybe thats what M$ wants. I just dont see how SCO can continue to be in business (long term). Also doesnt Ransom Love just look like a stupid dick? I truly hate him. I am a Christian mank yet i hate him. You see to me this level of greed is where all our U.S. corps are. There is no difference in my mind between business and morality. Sadly SCO and M$ and whoever else are thrteatend by us choose to try to kill us off rather than embrace us. The truth is that they are calling us thieves while they are the ones that run the monopoly on IT. I would switch to BSD,but you know what? I gonna stick with Linux and they can come fight me for it. If BSD were doing what linux is, then SCO would be suing BSD again. Ransom Love is an asshole son of a btch and he can kiss my ass. I am tired af coorporations being able to trample the little people. My restaurant is incoorporated, but at least I am smart enough to know that you cant run customers off and stay in business. I have Karma to burn so do with me what you may.

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[Zocalo]

Um, no, Ransom Love doesn't look like a stupid dick at all. What with having left the company and being replaced with Darl McBride before this all kicked off and all. Love was all for integrating SCO code with Linux code and giving the code to the community, it's McBride who is the money grubbing SOB with the briefcase full of FUD.

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[Anonymous Coward]

Does SCO even have a product anymore that is worth investing in?

linux???

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[Short Circuit]

Ransome Love has been a long time supporter of Linux, and dumped his SCO stock the instant SCO started acting like assholes. He's a good guy who's no longer affiliated with SCO/Caldera.

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[ianfs]

I'm just curious as to why all of the vitriol directed towards Ransom Love? He doesn't even work for the company anymore and all of the litigation and FUD started AFTER he left.

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe because he is the one that could set things straight and hasnt yet.

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[mr_z_beeblebrox]

The Mank was insightful? Insight is usually conveyed with carefully crafted sentences, that is clue one. Clue two, 12 yr olds talk a lot like the "Christian Mank" writes" Finally, why the Ransom Love Vitriol?

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[gvc]

SCO recently acquired an Intranet product - WebFace - that they are flogging.

Convea, a UK startup, have offered their competing open source product at no charge to existing and prospective SCO clients.

http://www.convea.com/News_CCScoWebFace.asp

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[Lussarn]

SCO can take there Super php board and cram it up their ass. Then they can charge for it again when they shit it out.

Re:My 2 on SCOx

[InfoVore]

it's McBride who is the money grubbing SOB with the briefcase full of FUD.

Appologies in advance but I flashed on something when I read it.

I know what Dave Barry would say about this: "Briefcase Full of FUD would be a great name for a rock band."

I'm there!

[ljavelin]

Yahoo! Free breakfast! I'll see you guys on the 9th at, um, let's say 8:15 AM. ... but I'll be out of there by 9:00 (or after all the food has been picked over).

Re:I'm there!

[turambar386]

Oh, they'll tell you the breakfast is free until you've eaten it. Then they'll explain that food was in fact supplied to you illegally by HP and that all of the recipes are actually their IP and anyway the original license under which they provided sustenance to you is in fact invalided by federal laws. Then they'll ask you for $699 if you want to avoid any further lawsuits.

Re:I'm there!

[Anonymous Coward]

Doesn't Dylan's "Desolation Row" seem like the appropriate theme song for this roadshow? More fitting than James Bond, anyway.

They're selling postcards of the hanging
They're painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town

Praise be to Nero's Neptune
The Titanic sails at dawn
And everybody's shouting
"Which Side Are You On?"

Nobody forces you to read.

[Psyborgue]

Although i do aggree that these articles are at the very least annoying, I would rather be informed anyway. SCO is a danger and they should not be ignored. That doesn't necessarily mean that the comments should string on endlessly. Perhaps Slashdot should have an "SCO ticker" for the time being where people can take a glance at the latest news and not feel obligated to comment. If it appears on the "front page", (some) people will just have to comment. And at length. And at length. (-1 redundant joke.) for crying out loud, half of the comments on the linus interview were debating whether or not it was ethical to copy and paste the NYT article. Good god people. Don't you have anything better to say?!?!?

I'm waiting for SCO Spam

[Anonymous Coward]

Soon, SCO will started spamming their FUD. Heck, why not employ pop-up ads. Isn't there a law stating that the useful content of a message is inversely proportional to the square of the amount of advertising used to propagate the message?

FUD?

[Anonymous Coward]

What does FUD mean?

Re:FUD?

[Anonymous Coward]

FUD=Fear Uncertainty Doubt -- if you were being serious in the inquiry

Wasn't funny if you were trying to be funny.

Re:To beat the various standard gags...

[chadm1967]

aaaaahhhhh.....good point! :)

A nice way

[Anonymous Coward]

This is realy a nice way for any Linux buisnisses to get in touch with current SCO customers and offer to help them to migrate away from legacy platforms sold a company who are soon to be closed down/bankrupt from loses caused by bad lawsuits and with the management arrested for stock manipulation.

in USA and Canada only...

[mirko]

Obviously, they would not risk to come to Belgium where Noel Godin would have "entarted" their faces like he did to Bill Gates ;)

Re:in USA and Canada only...

[aridhol]

But it can happen in Canada too.

Not coming to New York?

[Morky]

So now what am I going to do with all these fermented fish egg grenades I've been saving?

Re:Not coming to New York?

[ebh]

Take them to Newark.

Re:Not coming to New York?

[Anonymous Coward]

So you're going to throw fermented Caviar at him? LOL good luck getting distance with fish eggs...

Now if you REALLY want to do damage, throw rotten Ostrich eggs at him... :)

Re:Not coming to New York?

[Morky]

The roe is fermented in dirty socks, so I'd have no problem throwing it.

Re:Not coming to New York?

[dcavanaugh]

Would your grenade fit the payload requirements for something like this?

Ashcroft + McBride

[TubeSteak]

The SCO Road show and The Patriot Act Tour. Isn't it nice seeing our newest Corporate and Federal overlords doing their best to educate us? Next thing you know, McBride will be implementing secret licensing schemes. Sooo secret, that he won't even be allowed to tell you. Money will just dissappear from your bank account.

AP Wire Report - Attorney General Darl McBride will embark on a multicity tour this month to talk about the war on I.P. theft and the benefits of the SCO Copyright Act, officials said Monday.

McBride plans to kick off the tour Oct. 7 in Toronto and visit more than a dozen cities. The exact itinerary was still being completed and has now been released.

The SCO Copyright Act, passed a few weeks after the I.P. infringements of IBM, strengthened the Company's surveillance powers, beefed up anti-infringement laws and made it easier to go after financial backers of Open Source Software.

Critics say the law threatens civil liberties and improperly allows the Company to snoop into people's lives.

Re:Google failed me

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, why don't you go out and find a real live geek girlfriend for yourself?

Oh, I forgot. It's hard to find a straight geek girl. For some reason they tend to be full blown lesbians or at least bis.

How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Use of Microsoft products is still a 'political correct' inside HP (vide: dumping OpenMail for Exchange) - their attitude in this matter propably hasn't changed significantly for last few years. After seeing HP from 'inside' for some time (as a contract worker) I've noticed that their Linux support is limited to and only to sell more intel servers and protect their back in case of Microsoft' failure (ie. losing monopoly in OS market). The last thing they want is causing Microsoft angry. In other words, they won't bet on Linux unless they're forced to. And they'll do whatever they can to NOT let Linux gain a dominance in OS market, while being careful to not to lose their 'Linux friendly' PR image. It's definitely NOT the way, IBM has chosen. It's safe to treat them as (mostly) Microsoft shop.

Re:How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't forget HP-UX! I -still- have to work on that piece o' crap.

Re:How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[hackstraw]

HP is very linux friendly. Look at their linux page. They support other distributions besides RedHat even like Debian and Suse and possibly others. They have linux drivers for winmodems on some of their PCs. On their Itaniums, 3 OSes are supported HPUX, Linux, and Windows.

Plus don't forget that HP Offers Linux Purchasers Indemnification for its customers using Linux on HP hardware.

They may be a mostly M$ shop, but they do have interests in other OSes. In fact, HP is the vendor with the most systems on the top500 list, and not one of those machines runs windows...

Re:How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[demachina]

Email Carly and tell here how great an idea it is for HP to fund SCO, and you will will be reconsidering purchasing HP's hardware:
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/execteam/email/fiorina/in dex.html

Re:How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[Grotus]

There is also work (from Compaq days) in porting OpenVMS to Itanium.

One thing that confuses me about the Register article is where they got the information that HP is the sponsor of this roadshow. The SCO site lists Microlite as the sponsor.

Re:How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[Anonymous Coward]

> HP is very linux friendly. Look at their linux page.

So, they sell Linux stuff. So does Sun. What's the diff?

"Very friendly" is more a word I'd reserve for the likes of IBM, not HP. Unlike HP, IBM is not simply leveraging Linux 'cus there's money to be had, IBM actually contributes material portions of that wealth back the the hands that feed them.

> Plus don't forget that HP Offers Linux Purchasers Indemnification...

That is an expressly ANTI Linux action. HP should be damned to hell for that alone. First, only the most legally incompetent end-user would EVER register agreement that they've willing incurred a risk subject to indemnification.

Second, wouldn't you think, maybe, with SCO being so damned hupped up on this indemnity thing that the whole idea is an integral part of their sick anti-Linux, anti-GPL, plan? How could it be considered "pro-linux" to actively further a key interest of SCO's?

When you sign HP's policy you are stating to the world....

"I acknowledge I MAY have infringed Copyrights by using Linux. I'm not sure, but need to cover that risk with this here insurance policy."

You see, under Copyright law you cannot stop with "I MAY". Once you cross that "Bonified Purchaser" line, and accepting indemnification SURELY does that to you, you are obligated under Copyright Law to fully qualify the possible infringment, Yea, or Nay, in non-maybe terms.

Copyright infringement is not just some hocky law. It includes criminal sanctions (which HP surely cannot protect you from). It includes statutory damages, and is one of the few laws designed to reach into the land of the "Corporate Death Penalty".

Admit, in any way, you MAY be at risk of being on the wrong side of the barrel here? You've GOT to be kidding me.

Re:How much Linux-friendly HP is ?

[licketyspit]

I think the real test of how friendly HP is towards linux is not whether or not they sell linux on intel machines, but whether or not they sell it on their PA-RISC based systems. Selling on intel is no big deal, heck anyone can build an intel system. I don't know if they do or not.

Re:To beat the various standard gags...

[noselasd]

They are trolls. Pay no attention to them. They live for comments like this. Rule of thumb: "Don't feed the trolls"

Google always knows the answer

[greppling]

Try googling for "Darl McBride" --- and google will answer "Did you mean Dark McBride?"

Re:Google always knows the answer

[Anonymous Coward]

Obvious typo--it should be DARTH McBride, of course...

Re:Google always knows the answer

[DrWhizBang]

sorry google - I think that should be Darth McBride...

Re:Google always knows the answer

[Anonymous Coward]

I am a Jedi, like my father before me.
<Darth McBride> Yeah... yeah... Um, hate to bring this up, but, uh, actually, I invented the Jedi. You need a $699 license for that.
<Linus> That's not true! That's impossible! Many others were Jedi before you.
<Darth McBride> Search these legal documents! You know it to be... well... really really time consuming to prove.

You know, I don't think SCO Wars would make that good a joke after all.

Well, of course...

[cperciva]

SCO users throughout the U.S. and Canada can get their chance to go show Darl just how much they "love" SCO. But of course, Linux users are free to attend.

Well, of course Linux users are free to attend. Linux is full of SCO code, so Linux users are really just SCO users who obtained the code through unauthorized means.

Re:Well, of course...

[Anonymous Coward]

Linux is full of SCO code, so Linux users are really just SCO users who obtained the code through unauthorized means.

One could just as easily say that SCO products are full of Linux code, so SCO users are really just Linux users who obtained the code through unauthorized means (i.e., under terms in violation of the GPL).

You failed Google

[Anonymous Coward]

Searched images for geek girl. Results 1 - 20 of about 244. Search took 0.24 seconds.

Searched images for nerd girl. Results 1 - 20 of about 48. Search took 0.50 seconds.

The geeks are obviously showing their dominance of the nerds.

Re:You failed Google

[Anonymous Coward]

To further the nerd vs. geek conflict,Google Fight!

Number of results on Google for the keywords nerd and geek:

nerd
( 660 000 results)
versus
geek
(2 300 000 results)

The winner is: geek

An Idea..

[thesupraman]

How about people (well behaved of course) turning up outside these functions and giving all attendees free linux distributions and information as the arrive and leave?

Nothing like spreading a little information - and if SCO tries to block it, it makes them look like the bad guys.

For the cost of a couple of hundred writable CD's and some time a lot of good could be done to a very good target audience.

Re:An Idea..

[toothfish]

I nominate Mandrake. I'm a Slackware user myself, but two(!) of my buddies just switched from MS to Mandrake and they were both very impressed.

Plus I think Mandrake could use the support right about now.

Re:An Idea..

[Anonymous Coward]

This really is an excellent idea. I live in Toronto and would show up if there is a big enough interest. Can I suggest Knoppix for a burned CD? it runs without requiring an installation and thus provides a very nice demo of Linux for those who are unsure about putting it on their hard drive. Alongside that, perhaps more importantly, offer a different point of view on the whole SCO vs Linux argument. If you educate the people showing up, they will in turn ask the important questions inside the show. SCO might refuse to answer questions from one or two people, or provide convenient canned answers, but they will have a much harder time handling a crowd of people who demand a clear answer.

Operation "Put Up or Shut Up" perhaps? :)

Re:An Idea..

[zerocool^]

For the cost of a couple of hundred writable CD's and some time a lot of good could be done to a very good target audience.

That would be AWESOME! Get a spindle of those little bitty CD's that hold like 175 MB's (the 3 inch ones like these) and just burn the linux kernel onto each one.

Write on them, in sharpie, "SCO's business model is based on selling you this free software".

Then hand them out at the show.

Oh, it's brilliant! Also, put like an autorun.info or whatever makes things run in windows and have it pop up like a flash or html presentation of why we think SCO is full of shit.

~Will

P.S. The SCO code bounty is up to $350 on pink fairies, and no one has claimed it as of yet. Not that I suspected that anyone would, but no one has come forth with code "from the inside" yet.

Who is Darl ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Some people seem to refer to him as "Darl McBride" or "Dark McBride".
Who is this guy and what has he to do with the roadshow ?

Re:Who is Darl ?

[frkiii]

He is a drag queen, goes by the stage name "Darlene the Bride".

Dressed in a white bridal gown and vail, except for black garters, black fishnet stockings and a black pushup bra with latex falseys. Has three days of beard growth, a big fat cigar and smelling of large quantities of gin.

Sings show tunes, terribly off key.

Regards,

Fredrick

The Ultimate Question, but they wont answer

[kevinvee]

Where is all the code? But countless others have already asked and not been shown anything undeniably infringing, so good luck.

suicide

[Anonymous Coward]

TAMPA, Fla. -- The leader of the rock band Hell on Earth (search) said Monday that an onstage suicide will be conducted during a private St. Petersburg concert this weekend in defiance of a new city law designed to stop the act. Click to learn more... Click to learn more... "The show will go on," Billy Tourtelot said. "It will be available on the Internet and it will be in the city limits (of St. Petersburg)." __________________________________________________ Anyone else feet like nominating Darl for this one?

The future of SCO.

[Anonymous Coward]

It makes sense, when you really hunker down and think about it. However, as I am not burdened with morals myself, I would like to take this opportunity to tell SCO to kiss my ass. SCO is just upset because the average Linux user gets laid more than them. I've often heard of companies having a crack legal team, but this is the first time that I've heard of one being on crack. It just goes to show that whether it's object-oriented programming or contract law, multiple inheritance is likely to be hard to understand.

This Comment was generated with the Comment-O-Matic for SCO Stories.

Re:The future of SCO.

[njdj]

The subject of your post is a good candidate for
"Oxymoron Of The Month".

Avoiding States with Strong AGs

[Anonymous Coward]

I find it interesting that they're not setting foot in New York and several other states with strong Attorney Generals.

Re:Avoiding States with Strong AGs

[Anonymous Coward]

They do, however, have an event scheduled for Boston (Bedford, MA). The MA attorney general being the sole remaining state AG pursuing MS doesn't seem to have discouraged them.

I had registered and gotten a confirmation, but just received an email from partners@sco.com cancelling said reservation. I'd provided honest contanct info and there's nothing on my public website hinting at support for Linux or opposition to SCO.

I'd be interested in hearing what the criteria are for their cancellation. I'm deeply offended and have decided not to further investigate the possibility of purchasing a license from SCO. One does not dangle a free lunch in front of me and then snatch it away. Not if they want to avoid having their arm bitten off, they don't.

Re:To beat the various standard gags...

[Anonymous Coward]

They were funny once, but now they're getting worn out.. just like any joke repeated a million times.

FAQ on SCO and Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

I have posted an FAQ on the SCO vs Linux controversy, designed for use by Penguinistas at SCO's road show. Pass it out to others at the meeting, or to the press. See:

http://home.swbell.net/mck9/sco/

This FAQ focuses on the legal viability of Linux, and on the likelihood that SCO will succeed at bullying the rest of the industry. (Warning: I am not a lawyer.) I have tried to avoid the name calling and inflammatory rhetoric that would be offputting to those not accustomed to Slashdot culture.

Re:FAQ on SCO and Linux

[gvc]

From the FAQ:

Has IBM disclosed any of SCO's trade secrets?

SCO says it has, and IBM says it hasn't. Until
SCO identifies the trade secrets that IBM has
allegedly disclosed, it is impossible for an
outsider to evaluate SCO's claims.

I believe that a stronger conclusions may be drawn from SCO's statements. SCO's (specious) argument is this:

1. IBM is bound to keep derivative works secret
2. AIX is a derivative work
3. JFS, and other components, by virtue of being
added to AIX, are part of the derivative
work.
4. Releasing any part of the derivative work
(i.e. JFS et al) is a violation of the
secrecy agreement.

IMO, the fallacy is in step 4. It is fairly subtle, but has been adressed in the courts.

In any event, in the remote chance that some judge (and appeal judge etc.) agree with this logic, it would not affect the fact that IBM owns the copyright on JFS. On that matter the copyright act is very clear: the 'new stuff' added to a derivative work remains the property of the deriver.

Re:FAQ on SCO and Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a good idead and great content (at least from what i skimmed) but what you've written is much too long for any sortof easy reading/make your point pamphlet. Size needs to be something like the handouts you get at the beginning of plays (for the life of me i can't remember what they're called) and length shouldn't really be more than 3 pages front and back. Remember, clear points and repetition are what people will remember. Oh, and they like pictures too, even if its just a penguin.

Re:FAQ on SCO and Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

Allegedly IBM has a side-agreement or letter-of-understanding that gives them the rights to their own derivative works. Which kinda puts the kabosh on that whole line of reasoning, not that that seems to be stopping SCO from pursuing it.

shadIE behaviours rampaNTly dissolving wwworld's

[Anonymous Coward]

confeedense in US?

you could put it another way, or FUDge it up with some ?pr? ?firm? rhettorhea, but you'd still have the same sentimeNT running.

consult with/trust in yOUR creator. vote with yOUR wallet. that's the spirit, moving you, to join the planet/population rescue initiative..

the daze of the phonIE payper liesense stock markup FraUD execrable, & it's refudlicking cronIEs dept., are WANing into coolapps/the abyss.

the lights are coming up now. there's no going back, & no where to hide. tell 'em robbIE?

Damn! Out of Range!

[Lord Custos]

They're not stopping off in Philly!
If they'd stop by Philly, I coulda nailed Darl with my rotten-tomato-launching slingshot!

Roadshow

[unoengborg]

If SCO comes here I would show them the road

Re:Roadshow

[Anonymous Coward]

God is REAL! Unless explicitly declared INTEGER

One would hope that God would be at least double-precision.

Re:Roadshow

[BJH]

In fact, he's #defined as FP_INFINITE (by Christians anyway).

Agnostics say he's FP_NAN.

Atheists argue that he's FP_ZERO.

Never going to happen

[Anonymous Coward]

Follow a link to a city, which brings you to a registration form. The small print at the very bottom says:

SCO reserves the right to withdraw registrations using our discretion.

You will never get an audience with a room full of zealots.

SCO Partners welcome to attend?!

[192939495969798999]

Well, I should hope so! After all, it's their partners that are footing the bill for the tour. I looked over the schedule, and I was disppointed to see that there's not a segment hosting the "bitch at SCO about UNIX licensing" forum. That would be great to attend. Maybe the CEO can at least do a dunk tank :)

Sounds like "Let's organize a protest time!"

[farrellj]

Go and make signs and pamphlets, protest and hand out the pamphlets outside the venue...then go in when it starts. Leave the signs outside if they have a problem with it...but have t-shirts with the same signs on under another shirt, and then take off the outter shirt when the "show" starts. But be quiet (but ask lots of questions!), be nice, but take every legit oportunity to disrupt their MEME!

If they are comming to our areas, let's take it to their front doors...find out what hotels they are at, and call them at 3 am to express your displeasure with what they are doing. Remember, do anything legal to disrupt their Mobile FUD Factory.

ttyl
Farrell

Re:Sounds like "Let's organize a protest time!"

[salesgeek]

do anything legal to disrupt their Mobile FUD Factory.

I suggest a better way than calling at 3AM and making a complete ass out of yourself and anyone else who likes penguins and Linux software: make sure their event has very few visitors.

* Simply make sure that there is something more important to do than go to the SCO roadshow. Take your boss to lunch, have a meeting, invite HR in to brief your department on Sexual Harassment or for that matter, have that departmental trip to a strip club.

* If you know someone who is going, find something more fun and invite them to go do it. That's not hard considering that attending IT seminars rank slightly above watching paint dry and/or getting your hair cut.

Remember that SCO is not the government and Ghandi was effective in getting the government to change, but remarkably ineffective against the corporation and the market.

Some one

[Anonymous Coward]

Should take a hard copy printout of the linux 2.4 kernel and tell them to highlight ALL the offending code on it.

A delicate question to US readers

[greppling]

I have a question to the few American slashdot readers, if there are any:

In a German article on SCO/Cannopy, I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon". Now, I have never seen this mentioned anywhere in the many articles on SCO/McBride, even when they were specifically talking about McBride's personality.

Of course, his beliefs do in no way at all affect my factual views on his mission against Linux/GPL. But nevertheless, knowing he is a believing Mormon changes my understanding of him as a person, and possibly of his motivations. Maybe it should not, but it does change my reaction to many of his strongly worded statements.

Now I wonder why I never saw this mentioned in American articles. Is this because Americans don't think it matters? Is this because, while they know it might matter, they want to keep that out of the discussion? Is it an unwritten rule that religion is kept out of controversal discussions? Even when analyzing personalities? Or is it just not widely known that he is Mormon? Or is it, to the contrary, just implicitly assumed by US readers that a person such as McBride is probably strongly religious?

I am posting this despite knowing that it might be misunderstood as being negative on religious people, or religion in general. It is not meant that way. It is just that knowing whether someone is deeply religious or not is an important aspect in understanding his motivations.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[bhima]

I would say that generally Americans do not bring up their religion, unless they either are very zealous or trying to sell you something you aren't likely to buy (Which I suppose is the same thing). Mormons aren't really a large group in the places I've been to in the US (meaning anywhere but Salt Lake) so Mormons generally aren't out to tell you much.

With the large exception of the kids that are out on their see the world and proselytize tour, which I found to be quite bizarre and the kids quite fun and interesting. Now what does that have to do with SCO and Linux and the law suite we here about every day? My theory NOTHING, as a CEO of a sizable company

Darl McBride by definition is a devout capitalist and his only God is money. Copious quantities of easy and tax free money. I would bet that his religion is more of flag convenience or upbringing than anything else, but then again I could be talking out of my ass and the Mormon CEO's really are building runways for Gay Martians to destroy GNU / Linux.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[dago]

bump (!) - would also like an answer

I'm trying not to start any flame/troll - but I'd also like to precise that the Mormons are (by certain people) seen as a sect and that the situation concerning religions and cults is definetely not the same as in the US.

Please anser parent post - thanks .

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[phrostie]

There have been a number of articles that paint McB' as a perfect mormon. most of these articles have been in local papers(saltlake etc). they read like a press release. they have stayed a hair away from proclaiming this whole mess as an anti-mormon struggle and SCO/Canopy as the second coming. who after all are just trying to keep jobs for other good mormons.
most US papers/news services do not recirculate these stories.
i've worked with enough mormons to know that they are not all this way, so i'm glad the sories are not circulated. it would be a dis-service.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Americans are loathe to discuss religion publicly;
though privately they will talk about it. Mormons
are not a well liked religion; they are thought of
as a little crazy. Mormonism is a relatively new
religion and I guess all religions start off as
a bunch of crazy fanatics. Mormons are having
a little trouble shaking their reputation.
Most people in the US are familiar with their
door-to-door salesmen dressed up in circa 1960s
nerdy business casual outfits.

McBride's religion is not a big issue here in the
US. Though the Mormons are a bit clanish and the
SCO suit is filed in Utah: the only state with
a Mormon majority. There is some fear that the
Mormons "may scratch each other's back"; though
it's not discussed.

Americans will complain privately about
"Hebrew dominated media", "too many blacks
in the NBA", "bunch of white frat boys
running business", "too many Indians in hi-tech" ,
etc. But we don't discuss them openly in public dicsourse.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[azzy]

There have been a number of articles that paint McB' as a perfect moron. <-- Note correct spelling ;)

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

In a German article on SCO/Cannopy, I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon"

That was a typo. They must have meant "moron".

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[krumms]

I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon"

You mean "deviant moron" right?

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Mephie]

That's a good question.. I didn't know his religious affiliation, or even that he had one, until now. For the purposes of my theory on this, one could just as easily substitute "Mormon" for any other non-Catholic/Christian belief, such as Shin-tao, Athiest, or the current hot bed, Muslim.

Religion is an extremely touchy matter in the States. Depending on the matter in which that information was introduced, it would be very easy for any journalist to appear to be "branding" Mormons based on the McBride model.

The more .. how to put this delicately .. "unconventional" the general view of said religion, the more likely it becomes that you'd see backlash. Additionally, I'd wager most Americans don't know much about the Mormon faith. I personally do not. If we assume this to be true (it's a safe assumption.. Most Americans are very zealous about our own religion and avoid studying any other religions), then the vast majority of what the general population knows about Mormons, or any non-highly publicized religion, then, comes from what we "learn" on TV. So the danger of branding the religion becomes greater.

Ultimately, though, his religious affiliation would theoretically not make a difference in the business world, so religion would be irrelavant (much like there wasn't much said about the religious affiliation of Ken Lay, the Enron guy). The only time America seems to (openly) care about the religion of an individual is if they're a religious extremist or a politician. How's that for separation of church and state?

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[twfry]

Why do you ask this? Does it matter?

Is there something wrong with being Mormon? Does it have anything to do with them being a good/bad person?

Maybe it is just that us Americans aren't as enlightened as you Europeans. If we were, we'd just gas everyone in Utah and that'd fix the problem.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm pretty sure that was intended as humor.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

IANAM ( I am not a Mormon ), but isnt what he is doing about as far from the ideals of Mormon as it is possible to get?

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[mchappee]

As an American that actually knew that Darl McBride is a Mormon, I can honestly tell you that it didn't matter to me. Obviously no single American can speak for any sizable demographic, but I would think that we tend to leave religion out of the debate because we see so many different people that belong to so many different religions and a pattern of behavior has yet to emerge. I hope that helped.

Matthew

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

In America, it's generally assumed that anything coming out of Utah is Mormon. As Linden, Utah has been mentioned in just about every attack^Wpress release, it was a given to many of us. Plus, as others have mentioned, it's been stated a few times early on. Not having read any newspapers from Utah, I can't comment on the "local angle".

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

This is an excellent question with an obvious answer. Obvious, at least, to we non-religious heathens who watch the believers run amok through society and the world.
The religious relate all of their thoughts, opinions, and perceptions to their belief in some super being. If they believe "X" and the rest of us believe "not X", then "X" to them is unquestionably true because the super being is on their side. And, by extension, those who believe "not X" are rejecting the super being.
This turns differences of opinion into religious war. And the super being loves it when the religious make war on the non-religious.
Since having the super being on their side automatically makes them infallible and makes those who disagree into enemies of the super being, it's pretty simple for them to justify whatever they do.
Historic examples abound.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[twfry]

Also, you guys can troll that all you want, but it is still a legitimate question, why his being Mormon matters.

When people start to imply that a person's religion is the cause of their actions it can lead to the thought process that a religion some how needs to be "fixed". This has happened many times in the past and very often with dangerous consequenses.

I myself am not a fan of Mormons. Just last month two caught me on a sidewalk and wouldn't stop preaching until I walked away. But I seriously question any implication that Darl's actions are a result of his being Mormon
So I still want to know why the original poster cares.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Badanov]

I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon

That was a typo: It should have read Darl McBride is a devouring moron.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

The only time America seems to (openly) care about the religion of an individual is if they're a religious extremist or a politician. How's that for separation of church and state?

Well, that's the way it should work, isn't it? At least the way I see it, that's the only time religion should become an issue, i.e. when we're concerned how someone's religious affiliation might affect their behavior towards the long-standing principle of the separation of church and state. I think that's why you only see the religion of public figures come up when they're running for office. (Granted, some voters will elect a candidate precisely because he or she will work to undermine the wall between church and state, but that's another issue entirely.)

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

You can't make any assumptions about him based on being Mormon (other than it's probably a good bet he wears garments). I grew up in Utah, my wife and I both are from LDS families, and remember hearing the term "white collar crime capital of the world" when I was a kid. I think it goes something like this:

Mormons probably have the same distribution of "good" and "bad" people as the regular population

Social networks are very important in Utah

There is an assumption by church members that other church members are "good".

Some church members are "bad" and take advantage of this assumption of goodness

Financial scams abound.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

The United States has the largest percentage of English-speaking persons in the world

Um.. I wonder who's trolling.
No, the USA does not have the largest percentage. (the UK and Ireland for instance have higher percentages)

Nor does the USA have the largest number. India does.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[MadMoses]

It doesn't matter if he's religious or not. If someone is a nice guy, that's good, and if someone is an asshole, well, he's an asshole. 'Nuff said.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[srw]

> So I still want to know why the original poster cares.

I can't speak for the original poster. And, although I had heard Darl was Mormon, I don't believe it has shaped my view of this story. The original poster does, however, bring up a valid point. Peoples' motiviations are shaped by their worldviews -- whether their worldview is based on a religion or other idealistic system. (eg. Capitalism, Hedonism, Communism, whatever) If we take the time to understand a person's worldview, it can help us to understand that person's motivations. A very practical example of this is the situation in Iraq. I believe the US went in there not fully understanding the worldview of the Iraqi people. With a better understanding of their belief system and worldview, they may have been able to settle things down much more rapidly than they have. (read: get more of the Iraqi people to support their efforts.)

Anyways, back on topic: Just because we know that Darl is a Mormon doesn't mean that we know what his worldview is. I know plenty of Christians with different worldviews. Although I don't know any practising Mormons, I'm sure the same could be said of them. Probably the worst thing that could come out of this is us non-Mormons sitting back smugly thinking "at least he's not one of us."

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe it is just that us Americans aren't as enlightened as you Europeans. If we were, we'd just gas everyone in Utah and that'd fix the problem.

Sounds like a plan.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

The Jesus Christ Church of Later Days Saints is no more a cult than the modern Roman Catholic Church. Just because yourself and the grandparent poster refuse to do some basic homework, does not mean you're being insightful.

I'm an atheist, by the way. Do we need to make an issue out of that, too?

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[dipipanone]

If we were, we'd just gas everyone in Utah and that'd fix the problem.

Hey, you tried it with the Native Americans, why on earth shouldn't you extend your country's genocidal history to Mormons as well?

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[salesgeek]

It is just that knowing whether someone is deeply religious or not is an important aspect in understanding his motivations.

Most often, you begin to understand how hypocritical the person is when you try to jive their actions with their religion. Americans tend to understand this pretty well. Just because someone is from a particular faith does not mean their actions can be predicted based on that church's teaching.

Darl's actions and his faith are likely not in alignment. They are typical of someone who is greedy. Darl is attempting to steal Linux from it's rightful authors. He is attempting to extort money from people who have legally purchased or otherwise acquired their Linux software. So he's no different than any other person who goes to church and aspires to a "godly" standard of behavior and ethics - he is human and fails miserably.

That he is a Mormon is remarkably uninteresting to most of us.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[AssClown2520]

As a mormon living in Utah, I did know that McBride was a devout mormon. I also know many mormons that are not "good" people. I also know many Catholics, Protestants, etc. that are not "good" people. That he is a mormon is a complete non-issue. There is no fanatical religous motivation behind what is happening. He is simply a money grabbing, dishonest and deceptive individual. People need to understand that contributing ones actions to their religion is stereotyping just like sexism or racism. Using this logic, one would assume, Darl McBride=Asshole, Darl McBride=Mormon; therefore all mormons are assholes. Do you see how wrong this is? Once again, religous arguments aside, that Darl McBride is a mormon is as relevant as the fact that he is a white male.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[e_lehman]

I don't think it matters, and I think that's a pretty common view in the US.

For example, the people of my Catholic-leaning state (Massachusetts) just elected a Mormon governor. He seems like a pretty honest guy, relative to our usual lot.

Do you think newspapers should list all the people involved in the recent corporate finanace scandals that are devoutly Jewish? What's the difference?

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[rileym65]

Just to clarify a point, when you mentioned that you could replace mormon with any other non-catholic/christian faith, you are implying that mormons are not christians, this is quite wrong! Mormons follow all the teachings found in the old and new testaments of the bible, plus the teachings found in the book or mormon(which by the way is another testament to Christ!) No, i am not currently a mormon, but my best friend is, and my wife is, and i soon will be. Mormons have had a lot of bad publicity in the past, and none of it is really true. From my understanding of the Mormon faith, i am more likely to believe that McBride no longer adheres to the faith. People from all religions fall. It is true that mormons do take good care of their own (when they are faithful) and are NOT out to screw everybody else. There mission is to bring the words of christ to those who will listen, they will NEVER force it down anybodys throats. McBride's actions are VERY un-mormonlike, please do not associate his actions with the beliefs of the church.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[El_Smack]

This is soooo OT is hurts, but no one reads threads this deep anyway :).
In 1838, Missouri Gov. Lilburn Boggs issued an executive order to the state militia that stated "The Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary for the public good. Their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increase your force, you are authorized to do so, to any extent you may think necessary".

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Zigg]

Where can I see these articles? I need to pass them around.

(wishful thinking...)

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Luk Fugl]

Disclaimer: A large portion of the following has nothing to do with either SCO or McBride. You may parse out the ... section as you see fit.

<off-topic>

"I know plenty of Christians with different worldviews. Although I don't know any practising Mormons, I'm sure the same could be said of them."

I can verify your comment that yes, the same is definitely true of Mormons (or as we prefer to be called, LDS -- not to be confused with LSD). The main reason comes from the first sentence: "plenty of Christians", that statement would by definition include LDS members. That is one of the most common misconceptions about the LDS faith -- that they aren't Christian. But the Church's full name should clarify any misconception there: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints".

In conjunction with that, I'd point out that your statement that you don't know any "practising Mormons" is probably incorrect. Odds are that you do, but don't know that they are. Most people do. We're not all highly vocal zealots that need to make sure you know who we are. We mainly just live in the best manner we know how and let the example speak for itself.

As a whole, I think our faith is very misunderstood by the populace, and that misunderstanding is perpetuated because the majority of comments people see are from either uninformed or hostile individuals (I'd say the majority is in the former, not latter, category).

</off-topic>

Now, as this concerns McBride, I agree with what many other posters have said -- his religious affiliation doesn't really matter. I live in Utah and am a member of a local *nix users group. The majority of the group is LDS, and the majority if not entirety of the group opposes SCO's actions on moral principles as much as anything else.

One of the questions we frequently ask ourselves in our faith is "Are you honest in all your dealings with your fellow man?" From our vantage point, it looks like SCO and McBride are not. Their actions can hardly be indicative of LDS belief or action in general. McBride's position in this action may be influenced by his his beliefs, but that does not equate to our religion.

Above all, as another poster said, Darl could just as easily be of some other faith -- christian, non-christian, non-theistic -- and the question would be the same, though it probably wouldn't be expressed or even considered. I don't think you'd see something like: "Darl McBride is supposedly a devout Buddhist, how do you think that might be influencing his actions?"

Even though there's a lot of public misconception about the LDS faith, the American media has started to realize that we're not a cult of wierdos or fanatics. As such, Darl's religious affiliation doesn't really matter, and they've left it out of the story.

Jacob Fugal

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[red floyd]

Damn straight. I don't give a damn if McBride is Mormon, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Animist, Atheist, or something else.

He's still a frickin' asshole.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Mephie]

What I actually meant there was that you could replace "Mormon" with any other religion about which there is not a decent amount of general knowledge. While I think there's a difference between big C Christians and christians, I see your point; the statement was ambiguous.

Thanks for the clarification.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Zigg]

Peoples' motiviations are shaped by their worldviews -- whether their worldview is based on a religion or other idealistic system.

Interesting conclusion -- it seems to me, purely anecdotally of course, that folks' worldviews are more often shaped by their motivations. But I don't think you could prove either way. Maybe it's just my cynicism that leads me to that conclusion, and being so cynical is why I believe in imperfect man only redeemed by God. :-)

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sorry to see this post moderated up so far. I agree with the poster's general theme regarding the media coverage, which was probably the reason the post was modded up. But there are other posts on this thread that say the same in a much better way, without being hostile towards any religion or ethnic group. Let's try an be nice, everyone.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[ferret70]

You can profess to be devout in any religion, that's why actions and not words define who you really are. As a Mormon myself, I believe that Darl is a dirtbag. His only true God is money and M$soft now.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[rileym65]

Thank you for accepting my clarification. Otherwise i agreed with most of what you said. It is not a good idea to relate what people do with any groups they may be affliated with. I have studied quite a few religions, and none of them advocate what McBride and his cronies are doing. Personally i think the only thing he affliates himself with now is chasing dollars.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Kismet]

I am a devout Utah Mormon. I believe there are a number of us who frequent Slashdot and are Linux and Open Source enthusiasts.

I find Mr. McBride's behavior really very unfortunate. In Utah, we do consider each other to be good, upstanding people. We like to think that our Church gives us a certain quality by virtue of membership, and we expect that other Mormons try to live as best they can. We support each other based on this assumption.

As Mormons, our reputation with the rest of the world is very important. We like to make a good impression because we think our message is important, and we think that others would benefit if they listened to what we have to say. I know that we have critics and detractors, but there is also a significant good that we try to stand for.

I am concerned that Mr. McBride, by his association with the LDS Church, has poorly represented my religion to uncounted millions of Open Source enthusiasts around the world. I get this feeling each time I read an article like this one, which metions the Mormon Church. In my opinion, McBride has no business aligning himself with such a cause when he is publically dishonest.

I do not know of any other LDS Linux enthusiasts who support SCO in any way. We do not feel that SCO's behavior merits any excuse, and we do not seek to justify the misrepresentations and falsehoods that SCO has propagated to the public.

I don't speak for the LDS Church at all, but this is my opinion on the matter. I trust that the Church will behave morally and responsibly as far as this matter is concerned.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[greppling]

Hmm, this triggeredmore discussion that I had hoped for, thanx all for your answers. Although I think I had answered that already in the original post, let me first get this straight:

Why do you ask this? Does it matter? Is there something wrong with being Mormon? Does it have anything to do with them being a good/bad person?

Of course there is nothing wrong with being a Mormon. It does not make a person good or bad.

But religion and atheism both shape your view towards the world, and I would usually expect it being mentioned in a portrait of a person which camp he belongs to, just as I would expect to read from which background he is from, where he is living, whether he is married/has children etc. Of course, mentioning McBride's beliefs in an article dissection his IP claims would be non-sense and would weaken your points. But there were articles going through his entire resume to better understand his actions. I would have expected it to get mentioned there.

I was a little suprised about the many "It does not matter" posts. Surely I would have expected them, but not in that majority. Surely, such is not the typical American opinion when it comes to politicians, as we all know. (I don't think you will be surprised about the story of a respectable woman who told me how she round-about denied her atheism when she was running for an office in a conservative neighbourhood.)

Finally, although this is really dangerous territory, let me try to answer this question: How exactly would his being mormon change your reaction to some of his statements? And your understanding of him as a person?

I am really not sure. And note that I know little about Mormons in particular. So let me start by answering in very general terms. In my perception, people with strong religious beliefs are often more firm holding up their convictions even when there are standing against a big majority. Pick your favourite example; let me just mention the most positive that comes to my mind, which is that several groups of strong religious believers (catholic, evangelists, "Zeugen Jehovah) were among the last to give up resistance against Nazis in Germany in the 30s (and hence were among those who suffered most badly).

Back to McBride: when he talked about all IP in the open source community, that it would be based on a habit of copyright infringement and a generally lax attitude towards IP, I took that as pure FUD. Now that I know he is a strong religious believer, I have second thoughts whether he might actually be convinced that he is right.

Again, this adds nothing to judging his actions, just to perceiving his personality.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, Mormonism is the United States' 4th (or 5th, depending on the particular survey) largest denomination, with more adherents than, for example, the Episcopalian church. While Utah is the only state with a Mormon majority, Mormonism is the largest single denomination in Idaho. It is the second largest denomination in Washington, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, and the second largest Christian denomination in California. It comes in third in Montana and Colorado. In short, Mormonism is much more than a crazy little upstart in at least a large geographic region of the United States. Over the past decade, Mormonism was America's fastest growing religion.

All facts courtesy of the Glenmary Research Center (a Catholic research group). Data available at ARDA.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Elwood P Dowd]

Yeah. See, this is the kind of bullshit we have to deal with if we want to talk about religion in public.

Just because you'd like to be nice doesn't make Mormons less crazy. They believe their magical underoos will protect them from physical harm. C'mon, dude. That's funny.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

You forgot a couple. According to the Glenmary stats at the ARDA site you mention, Mormonism is also the second largest religion in Hawaii and Alaska.

Geographically, then, Mormonism is second in importance only to Catholocism in the United States.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Elwood P Dowd]

As crazy as Mormons may be, there's no way to call them a cult without calling every religion a cult.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Upon closer inspection, I was actually looking at the 1990 data. In 2000, Mormonism was the largest religion in Utah, and Idaho. It was the second largest denomination in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Alaska. Third in Montana and California.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

That is funny.

But I'd like to point out that I'm a devout Mormon who believes neither that my "magical underoos" will protect me from physical harm nor that Darl McBride could really be a "devout" Mormon, despite his claim to be so -- his views and actions are too far removed from what we believe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that it just don't make any sense.

I mean, Mormon scripture actually claims that the source of all truth and knowledge is external and un-posesseable, i.e, that it can't be "owned" by Darl and his goons, even if they have an officially stamped document from the U.S. Copyright Office that says so.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Of course, his beliefs do in no way at all affect my factual views on his mission against Linux/GPL. But nevertheless, knowing he is a believing Mormon changes my understanding of him as a person, and possibly of his motivations. Maybe it should not, but it does change my reaction to many of his strongly worded statements.

Why should it change your understanding? Religious nuts believe in mysticism and magic men; SCO believe in mystic stolen code and magic stock options. With the combined goofiness of both groups, Darl could be seen as the second/third coming by performing miracles like turning a turd of a company into a viable business.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

In a German article on SCO/Cannopy, I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon".

That was a typo. It should have read "Darl McBride is a devout moron."

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Soko]

Wow. I read
"In a German article on SCO/Cannopy, I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon"
as
"In a German article on SCO/Cannopy, I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout moron"
which would be much more germaine to the discussion. Sorry 'bout that! ;^)

Soko

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Erik Fish]

You might as well be using his biorhythms, blood type or horoscope to get information about his personality. Mormons are a widespread and diverse bunch of people. Don't forget that the only person who knows how devout Darl McBride really is would be the man himself. For all anyone else knows he may have mentally scrapped his religious beliefs long ago (assuming he ever had them) and now just goes through the motions to appear respectable, keep favor with powerful people in Utah and/or for personal reasons (such as family pressure).

The bottom line is that it doesn't matter if Darl McBride buys his own FUD or not. The only thing that matters is what can be proven in court about his beliefs. You can bet that Mr. McBride is keenly aware of this and is conducting himself accordingly in public (true believer or not).

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[winse]

links please? I'm interested in seeing the usuall strange slant that utah press gives these sort of things.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Snodgrass]

Well, as a Mormon I would have to say that either he really believes what he's saying or he's not living his religion.

Being "honest in your dealings with your fellow man" is a requirement. It seems to me that he is being extremely DIS-honest, and should be called on it. He may claim he's "devout", but he claims a lot of things that are of dubious accuracy.

But in answer to your question, I don't think anybody really cares what his religion is because you can't judge the whole group by the actions of one person.

A few bad Priests don't make all Catholics child molesters. A few bad extremists don't make all Muslims terrorists, and a compulsive liar and swindler don't make all Mormons bad. He's not representative of us at all. Anyone trying to make a connection there just has an ax to grind.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Bullshit. Americans in general LOVE to talk about their religion and how much more saved they are than you. In my travels through our country, I'd say 4 out of every 5 American cars sports some kind of "God Bless America" or "Jesus Saves" crap on it. Those are direct statement of religion, whether they are intended or not.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

One question is whether the Utah venue of the suit and the Mormon judge and (presumably) jury will majorly bias the first round of the trial. I hope not.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's check it off:

* Devoid of verifiable facts. Check.
* Fuzzy conclusions. Check.
* Likely to piss off an entire religion (noone wants to be associated with McBride). Check.

Results:
Congratulations! BEST ... TROLL ... EVER! :)

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[the_arrow]

Mormons are christians, right? And isn't it basicly bad for christians to lie? Not that it really matters, since many so-called "devout christians" lie and cheat and do everything they can to break the commandments.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[An Onerous Coward]

Former Mormon here.

Generally speaking, I don't think his religious views are important. Most Mormons, if made aware of the facts surrounding SCO's activities, would probably see him as a complete hypocrite and an embarassment to their religion.

On the other hand, there does seem to be a cultural link between Mormonism and weird business practices. It would be going overboard to say that the LDS Church or its members are obsessed with money. But thanks to a tradition of devout tithe-paying, the LDS Church is the richest per-capita religion in the world. There is also a not-exactly-doctrinal but often implied belief that righteousness leads to material blessings. Between the tithe-paying, large families, and the desire to be seen as successful, Utah leads the nation in bankruptcies despite having a highly educated population.

The politics of Utah are themselves pretty weird, and there's a lot of backscratching that goes on. But I haven't lived in other states, which makes it difficult for me to say if it's really worse than goes on elsewhere.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

I am a non-Mormon who lives in Utah. I work with plenty of Mormons. I think that what they believe is bunk (and don't just lump them in with "Christians"; Mormon beliefs are actually incompatible with the Bible, though Mormons try to claim otherwise.) But I still have to stand up for them in this instance.

Most of them are quite moral people. They are good neighbors, good co-workers, good bosses. Darl McBride is not a typical example.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[frkiii]

It has been mentioned a time or two in the press, Mr. McBride's religion, that is.

I read the entire book of Mormon in Highschool, but am not a Mormon. I read it because I did not know anything about the religion.

I known or met a number of Mormon's over the years, and those particular ones were pretty honest and decent, IMHO.

It appears to me, that Mr. McBride's statements and actions are not in line with his religious beliefs.

I already thought he was a hypocrite and extremely dis-honest without taking his religion into consideration.

So, it makes not difference to me what religion he is, he is a hypocrite and extremely dis-honest. Even if he was an athiest, I would have an extremely low opinion of him without regard to that particular philosophy.

Regards,

Fredrick

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[jazzgroove]

Why would you want links just to confirm what you already know to be true? The Utah press IS slanted!

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[swillden]

But religion and atheism both shape your view towards the world, and I would usually expect it being mentioned in a portrait of a person which camp he belongs to, just as I would expect to read from which background he is from, where he is living, whether he is married/has children etc.

In this particular case, it means less than it normally would. Why? Because (sad to say) Mormonism in Utah is often a "social faith", rather than a deeply-felt one. It's not quite like Judaism, which is for many Jews a pure question of ethnicity, but it's not as far from that as it should be, either.

Mormonism, in general, is a faith that demands a fairly deep commitment, including a strict moral code, relatively large financial obligations and an extensive commitment of personal time. That extensive commitment of time means that Church members spend a lot of time with each other. In general, that's a good thing, but in places where there are very large numbers of Mormons (like Utah) it can occasionally be bad, in two closely-related ways:

First, non-members can often feel left out, because their Mormon neighbors socialize almost exclusively with each other. This isn't intentional, and the Church consistently stresses the importance of neighborhood activities, rather than just Church activities, as well as the fact that individual members should make sure they're friendly to all. But, people get busy...

Second, because much business starts out with social relationships, there are distinct financial advantages in Utah to being Mormon, particularly for entrepreneurial types where social networking is critical. Advantages that in many cases probably outweigh the costs (10% of your income, for starters).

So, in Utah, there are advantages to being Mormon, and disadvantages to being non-Mormon. There are also a lot of "legacy" Mormons (also called "jack Mormons"), who aren't really religious but consider themselves Mormon because they were raised that way.

Outside of dense Mormon populations, the situation is largely reversed. There are relatively few advantages to being Mormon, and more disadvantages. So, if you meet a devout Mormon in, say, Boston, chances are really, really good that he is, in fact, a person that really believes in his faith and really works to be a good person (which isn't to say he never screws up, but that's different).

In Darl's case, I really, really doubt that he is someone Mormons would call "devout" if they really knew him well. He may go to Church, he may hold a Temple Recommend (which means he lies to his Bishop on an annual basis -- one of the questions in the interview is "Are you honest in all your dealings with your fellow man?"), he may even have a significant ecclesiastical position within the Church. But he's a hypocrite, and does those things only because they're to his personal, worldly, advantage.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[don.g]

FWIW, the mormons/latter day saints/etc are the only (AFAIK, IANAT, etc) religion who recognise the Book of Mormon. Not that this is particularly odd (apart from the comparatively recent appearance of the book of mormon) - catholics kept the Apocrypha in their view of the bible, while most (all?) other christian denominations don't recognise them.

But yes, there are a lot of people out there who profess to belong to some faith, but whose actions do not appear to be consistent with the teachings of that faith.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[mojoNYC]

i'm glad you brought this up--i just finished reading 'Under The Banner of Heaven,' the recent book by Jon Krakauer, and it's an excellent and well-researched account of the less savory history of Mormonism and its fundamentalist spinoffs (i'm also familiar with the Mormons since i have relatives in SLC, Utah)...read this book and you'll have a different opinion of the Mormons...the most salient tidbits are: They often have 'visions' where God 'forgives' them of paying their taxes, business debts, house payments, etc... they also have a neat thing called 'Lying for the Lord' where it is considered morally fine to lie to non-mormons...(not to mention poygamy and child brides...)

obviously, as in any religion, the majority of Mormons are good, law abiding folk, however, as a group, they have a historical reputation of being anywhere from less than honest to downright brutal to anybody they consider 'inferior' (read: non-Mormon)

don't let the haircut and tie fool ya!

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[eniu!uine]

" In a German article on SCO/Cannopy, I recently learned that Darl McBride is a "devout mormon". Now, I have never seen this mentioned anywhere in the many articles on SCO/McBride, even when they were specifically talking about McBride's personality."

I wonder if this means that 10% of his pump and dump go to the Mormon church. You know, real Mormons tithe.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Dood, sweet troll!

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't forget that this extermination order was not rescinded until 1976. Another not-so-proud era for the land of the free.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

I was a little suprised about the many "It does not matter" posts. Surely I would have expected them, but not in that majority. Surely, such is not the typical American opinion when it comes to politicians, as we all know. (I don't think you will be surprised about the story of a respectable woman who told me how she round-about denied her atheism when she was running for an office in a conservative neighbourhood.

Well, it sure is a good thing that we have you around to tell us what the typical American opinion is! Obviously everyone knows that Americans vote based mainly on religion.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[pyrrhonist]

FWIW, the mormons/latter day saints/etc are the only (AFAIK, IANAT, etc) religion who recognise the Book of Mormon.

Of course, there is more than one Mormon church. There's the LDS in Utah who followed Brigham Young, and the RLDS in Missouri who followed Joseph Smith III.

catholics kept the Apocrypha in their view of the bible, while most (all?) other christian denominations don't recognise them.

Of course, in Catholicism, the apocryphal books are called "deuterocanonical" books and are part of the canon. In addition to the deuterocanonical books, the Greek Orthodox Chruch and the Russian Orthodox Church also recognize several other works that Catholics and Protestants do not recognize as belonging to the canon.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Anonymous Coward]

As a member of the Chuch of Frickin' Assholes, I resemble that remark.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[dcollins]

Now I wonder why I never saw this mentioned in American articles. Is this because Americans don't think it matters? Is this because, while they know it might matter, they want to keep that out of the discussion? Is it an unwritten rule that religion is kept out of controversal discussions? Even when analyzing personalities? Or is it just not widely known that he is Mormon? Or is it, to the contrary, just implicitly assumed by US readers that a person such as McBride is probably strongly religious?

An excellent good question, which as an American with a significant other from Europe, after a day of reflection, I'll take a stab at.

Americans are pretty prone to bring up God in a completely generic, vanilla sense. "God helped through this hard time/ crisis/ career" and so forth. That's done commonly in public, political, and sporting life, and is basically accepted without much notice.

However, specific religions, faiths, or doctrines are almost never referred to, and it would be rather jarring to hear them mentioned. It probably would be considered distasteful and bigoted to evaluate someone's personality based on their particular church.

This fits in a lot of ways in American society. (1) Americans are very religious, and generally assume everyone believes in a personal God. (2) We have a huge variety of churches, constitutionally cannot have an official religion, and therefore need to carry on civil society without sparking endless interfaith conflicts. (3) We're generally much less educated about religious history than Europeans -- separation of church state means religious education classes are prohibited, for example. Most people won't know the specific teachings of the church they (occasionally) attend, never mind other churches. Very few outsiders would know enough about Mormon doctrines to have any reaction at all if they were informed about a particular member.

Hope that's partially helpful.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[Ciggy]

I would say that generally Americans do not bring up their religion, unless they...are...trying to sell you something you aren't likely to buy

Like an SCO Linux licence.

Re:A delicate question to US readers

[jvervloet]

Where can I see these articles? I need to pass them around.

I think I've found one at economist.com.

Like the Antiques Road Show?

[BarryBondsTroll]

If you bring your copy of Linux will they tell you what they think it's worth? :)

Before you go

[overshoot]

Don't forget the t-shirt

Re:FP

[Anonymous Coward]

I, 4 1, welcum our new old SCOverlords.

Helps HP assess strategy

[panurge]

Actually, this makes sense for HP regardless of their standpoint on Linux. They get to see the reaction. People who can be bothered to turn up for a day meeting have more commitment than people who post rude things on /. (mea culpa.)

Community response favorable: Hey, we're HP, proud to be associated with SCO.
Response strongly unfavorable: "Hey, we're HP. And here for your amusement is our performing monkey"

Linux Live CDs

[c1ay]

This looks like a great opportunity to hand out Linux Live CDs like Knoppix.

They are using open source code for registration?

[gedeco]

I did have a look myself too the registration software they use for the famous roadshow

From the FAQ on the website of VRS
http://www.verite.com/htmlsite/etools/t2vrsfa q.htm l

Can I run VRS on my own web server?
Yes, but we don't recommend it. VRS, as it stands now, is programmed in Cold Fusion and utilizes MySQL database software. To install VRS on your web server, Verite would either need to reprogram the system in a language that you support (very costly) or you would need to purchase a Cold Fusion Server and pay consulting fees for Verite to install and set it up. (VRS supports any ODBC compatible database-like Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL server, Oracle, etc.-but we prefer MySQL because of high reliability and the fact that it is open source).

So probably (not for sure) they rely on mysql as database.

Amusing. This remind on the additional note of SCO posted by release of samba 3.0

Geert

xdarl

[Anonymous Coward]

How long do we have to wait for the sequel to xbill? It might also have other opponents, such as Blake Stowell and Chris Sontag.

Obviously the violence might be a bit more graphic, given the subject matter.

Re:xdarl

[axxackall]

Don't forget also Steve Jobs, the guy who is trying to kill Linux/PPC.

HP's Position Finally Makes Sense

[Hugh George Asm]

First we're told that some Fortune 500 company licenced SCO's code. Later, we hear HP is indemnifying customers, much like Sun is (who also licensed the code.) Speculation that HP was that mysterious licensee seems to have been true.

HP wouldn't take the risk unless they knew they were safe, and since you can only run their version on their hardware, it's no wonder. Their promotion of linux was purely for marketing reasons, and their licensing of SCO code was a clever way to profit from SCO's foibles.

The only part of this that does not make sense is that HP is sponsoring the SCO parade. Perhaps having a close tie-in to sco is how they can ensure that they won't have to actually protect any of their indemnified customers.

Re:HP's Position Finally Makes Sense

[SpacePunk]

HP is just trying to play both sides of the game. Watching HP deal with SCO and everyone else is like watching a double agent in a spy movie about 1960's Berlin.

Re:Google failed me

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, sometimes you'll get girls who like biting the heads of chickens if you search for "geek girl", due to the original carnie-folk meaning of geek....

Re:To beat the various standard gags...

[Anonymous Coward]

I understand your sentiment, but I still laugh at them. Sorry.

Re:I liked Yesterday's news better.

[stevesliva]

This story was yesterday's news... newsforge just need to wait a few hours.

*Mechanical Breathing*...

[StringBlade]

Linux....I am your father!

Register!

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll love to take them on! Its seems like a nice day out, and the more of us that go, the less of them.

I'm glad that HP is coming out on the official side of Evil. Cappellas and Fiornia are two evil scumbags, and at least one of them should be in prison.

This is news?

[Badgerman]

A company is doing the usual roadshow/conference routine. This isn't exactly news.

Re:Google failed me

[deadlinegrunt]

Oh, I forgot. It's hard to find a straight geek girl. For some reason they tend to be full blown lesbians or at least bis.

You say it like it's a bad thing. I haven't had any problems with it and have rather enjoyed the ride myself. YMMV of course.

Only a Pin?

[Jameth]

"wear only a small linux penguin pin"

I think that might be a bit of a mistake, especially for some of the geeks I know.

Re:Only a Pin?

[Hatta]

Where would you stick the pin? =x

SCO

[Anonymous Coward]

HP - "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". It might be considered an honorable position.

Sponsored by microlite!

[Anonymous Coward]

Notice how the sponsored by microlite banner on the road show page doesn't have a link, whats up about that? microlite.com doesn't seem to mention anything about a roadshow. Microlite makes backup and recovery software for unix and linux.

Being mentioned on a relativley high profile site like slashdot makes wonders for small companies, suddenly google hits will link them with a very nasty company called SCO and they can't get rid of them.

Ha, Ha!

Typical Carly

[mr.henry]

After the merger, I wish they'd used the Compaq name instead of HP. Everything Carly has done is an insult to this once great company. How low can she take HP?

Killing great product lines? Yes!

Laying off the talent that made HP? Yes!

Funding SCO? Yes!

What's next, Carly?

I'd do just about anything for a free breakfast

[DerProfi]

I'm less interested in what Darl will get out of it and more interested in what I will get out of it...

..and it looks to me like that's a free breakfast and probably some ebay-able SCO freebies. WOO HOO!

Me: "I'll have a Darl McOmlette, please"
Drone: "Sir, this is continental breakfast."
Me: "In that case, I need a license for your bottomless cup of SCOffee."

Schedual

[Picass0]

A rundown for the tour of suckage:

City:
Toronto, ON
October 7, 8:30am
Toronto Congress Centre

City:
Boston, MA
October 9, 8:30am
Renaissance Boston Bedford Hotel

City:
Chicago, IL
October 15, 8:30am
Indian Lakes Resort

City:
Vancouver, BC
October 21, 8:30am
Radisson President Hotel & Suites Vancouver Airport

City:
Dallas, TX
October 23, 8:30am
Marriott Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport

City:
Orlando, FL
October 29, 8:30am
Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport

City:
Newark, NJ
October 8, 8:30am
Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel

City:
Minneapolis, MN
October 14, 8:30am
Minneapolis Airport Marriott

City:
St. Louis, MO
October 16, 8:30am
Radisson Hotel Clayton

City:
Irvine, CA
October 22, 8:30am
Marriott Irvine

City:
Atlanta, GA
October 28, 8:30am
Marriott Century Center

Counteracting the FUD

[Kazir]

Linux users are free to attend."

The best thing to do for counteracting their FUD is to have people hand out free disks of Linux at the roadshow and demo Linux. They probably won't allow this inside, but there's always the sidewalks.

Dee-Ann LeBlanc on O'Reilly Network has been making some good points about this:

• A SCO-Fighting Press Kit
  
• Share your annoyance with SCO
  
• SCO's Upcoming Tour
  

licenses?

[Lxy]

Will they be selling copies of linux for $699?

Registered

[ahg]

ok, I registered for the local gig. Now I'd like to see a new slashdot post calling for Interview questions with a SCO exec. Everyone submit questions and they'll be moderated, etc - you know the routine. Then Linux advocates like myself, who plan on attending thier roadshow, will have a quality list of questions to try and ask on the floor.

I do plan on attending the conference. However, I don't think registering just for the sake of taking up a spot they then can't give someone else is a bad idea either.

Bring in journalists

[infolib]

If you bring in the journalists they're much more likely to see through SCOs smoke and mirrors, at least if you can feed them some of the right questions. I don't doubt that the rest of the audience will be asking plenty of critical questions as well, which will also influence the journalists.

Darl wants the media attention, it's just that he wants it differently hehe...

I reckon it's Compaq sponsoring...

[leonbrooks]

...and the old-guard hp indemnifying. Either way it's cuckoo-plus-ultra - kind of in tune with the rest of the circus.

Interesting that HP is funding this.....

[common middle name]

I noticed this tidbit at kernel.org last night.... "We have a new server! The Linux Kernel Archives are now powered by a new Compaq ProLiant DL380 G2 with 1 TB of disk generously provided by Hewlett-Packard. Many thanks for your support!" Then I read the article in WSJ this morning about SCO threatening to end SGI's Unix license effective October 14th and I start wondering what the execs at HP must be thinking. I know they don't want to burn any bridges with SCO but how long will it be before they become SCO's next target?

SGI are on "our" side

[leonbrooks]

They've been pretty quiet (waiting for the gristly crunching noise when IBM put their legal foot down, I suppose), but what they have said has been universally in favour of Linux, and more importantly they're shipping lots and lots and lots of Linux server boxes.

Side note (was: Re:Just what we need)

[zenofjazz]

Flash mobs were first suggested/discussed in Larry Niven's science fiction, as a predicted social phenomenon caused by instantaneous portal to portal transportation.
Once again, life imitates science fiction.

+1 Courageous for Convea!

[leonbrooks]

If there was any chance of SCOX surviving the lawsuit, I'd be interested in taking WebFace and extending it as much as I could.

what stock?

[linuxislandsucks]

But rember it will be canpoy stock not SCXO stock that Daryl recieves..and he will jus tmove to another canpoy company that needs the saem treatment..

How about we all just register and NOT SHOW!

[CyberGarp]

Huh, want to waste some SCO resources. Flood them with registrations and then nobody show. Now that would be embarrassing.

Bummer, they won't come to Raleigh.

[OS24Ever]

You would think that Red hat would give all of ti's employees a day off to go visit the conference. Not to mention IBM.

The S-C-O Roadshow!

[Anonymous Coward]

It rhymes! I love 'em =P

Re:The S-C-O Roadshow!

[Fyoozen]

We could get a couple of Penguin costumes and have a SCO CEO look-alike cracking a whip at them at each roadshow location. Of course the Penguins would have to be in shackles.

Even better, encourage your peers to just not go to the event and not to buy from SCO. Let SCO go belly-up like many before. Of course they'd spin it to where they would have you believe they are entering a "new era of prosperity".

Did they hire guys from Enron and Arthur Anderson?

Umm.. wasn't HP on our side?

[Nermal]

Wait.. sponsored by HP? Wasn't HP just saying that they would offer
indemnity to its Linux users? Weren't they on our side?

I seem to remember some people wondering whether or not HP was able to indemnify against SCO because they were the mystery company who'd bought the runtime licence.

Suspicion... rising...

Anyone have more information??

Re:Umm.. wasn't HP on our side?

[WCMI92]

Could be. Carly is trying to turn HP into Dell, a faceless ultra conseravtive commodity PC and server producer that sucks up to Microsoft and Intel...

Which is sad, as I miss the old Compaq. I still mainly deploy ProLiants, but I'm considering switching to IBM, as they seem to be more open and supportive of alternative hardware and OS's... For instance, HP is tied 100% to Intel on the Itanic chip, and has no plans at all to offer Opteron based servers. IBM is likely to release one soon.

Secretly buying a SCO license so as to CYA on their Linux business (which they have to be in, but seem to be adopting a more Dell like attitude towards it), fits Carly's profile and it also ingratiates them with Microsoft.

Frankly, I expected as much, as the OLD HP died when Carly became absolute dictator with the Compaq merger. If anyone had any doubts, look at the fact that they fired Bruce Perens.

I still think the HP/Compaq merger made no sense, and if it weren't for their overinflated printer ink sales which keep them afloat, we'd be talking about them with the failed AOL/Time Warner merger... Basically HP bought Compaq to BECOME Compaq+HP Printers. Most HP PC and server products were ABANDONED after the merger for the Compaq ones rebranded as HP...

The Royal Nonesuch

[sharkey]

Let's treat the first night as if it were the third.

You are wrong.

[aussersterne]

Hell, if slashdot didn't have 4 SCO stories a day, average shmucks like me wouldn't know or care! Quit elevating them to a position of importance!

Average joes have no idea what Slashdot is. But many of them have heard of SCO and Canopy group through the mainstream press and articles like this one.

Slashdot has no effect on average joes, but at least it gives a place for more informed readers to come and complain about SCO to each other. Small comfort, but better than having to read crap like the linked article.

Scott, are you reading this?

[MarkusQ]

I expect all the top SCO execs to leave for one reason or another before the lawsuit reaches the courtroom and fall-guys hired to take their places.

Scott (you know who you are):

Elsewhere, you have posted that your job at SCO didn't really involve you in the unix IP scandal (my words, not yours). You might consider the possibility that there is a note taped to you back that says "fall guy #3" or something of the sort; you might be "concerned" even if you aren't presently "involved."

You may of course be right that SCO is a great place and they just brought you guys in out of love & kindness.

But I still don't buy it.

-- MarkusQ

Great, however....

[CooCooCaChoo]

I am sure it would be an interesting road show, too bad their product majorly sucks and their sales staff, well, has anyone here been able to contact their sales staff so that one could purchase a SCO license?

Before they go on their little contiki tour, how about fix the products THEN promote them.

SCO?

[silversurf]

Which one is SCO? :-)

-s

4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[TrentC]

As someone who's actually interested in the SCO proceedings (I mean, if I wasn't I'd just uncheck the "Caldera" box in my user prefs, right?) This is the "4 times a day" schedule to date this month:

SCO's Roadshow Coming Soon (On September 30th, 2003 with 231 comments)
Ransom Love, Caldera Co-Founder Interviewed (On September 26th, 2003 with 237 comments)
IBM Adds SCO Counterclaim Charging Copyright Infringement (On September 26th, 2003 with 738 comments)
SCO's Plan Examined (On September 25th, 2003 with 576 comments)
HP Clarifies Indemnification Offer For Linux Users (On September 24th, 2003 with 274 comments)
HP Offers Linux Purchasers Indemnification (On September 24th, 2003 with 326 comments)
Groklaw Sends A Dear Darl Letter (On September 20th, 2003 with 268 comments)
SCO Claims $15,300,000 From SCOsource (On September 16th, 2003 with 404 comments)
SCO Volleys to Red Hat (On September 16th, 2003 with 469 comments)
More on SCO Code Snippets (On September 14th, 2003 with 339 comments)
Linus to SCO: 'Please Grow Up' (On September 11th, 2003 with 1163 comments)
Back To SCO (On September 10th, 2003 with 560 comments)
ESR to Shred SCO Claims? (On September 9th, 2003 with 554 comments)
SCO's Open Letter to Open Source Community (On September 9th, 2003 with 724 comments)
SCO Run-Time Licenses: Get 'em While They're Hot! (On September 8th, 2003 with 587 comments)
More Criticism of SCO's Claims To UNIX (On September 6th, 2003 with 400 comments)
SCO's Next Target: SGI? (On September 5th, 2003 with 338 comments)

17 whole stories. Throw in two or three Slashbacks or Ask Slashdots to make it a round number, and we have 20 stores in 30 days. Now, let's look at August. I mean, maybe the frenzied stories have been dying down:

SCO Roundup (On August 30th, 2003 with 471 comments)
SCO Says It Has No Plan To Sue Linux Companies (
On August 28th, 2003 with 478 comments)
SCO DOS Harming Innocent Bystanders (On August 28th, 2003 with 422 comments)
SCO Says IBM is Beating Up on Them (On August 22nd, 2003 with 1133 comments)
SCO: Code Proof Analyzed, Linus Interviewed (On August 20th, 2003 with 890 comments)
Samba Team Points Out SCO's Hypocrisy (On August 20th, 2003 with 612 comments)
Open Source Community Approaches SCO (On August 19th, 2003 with 521 comments)
SCO: FSF Reply To GPL Claims, Conference Sponsors Back Off? (On August 18th, 2003 with 580 comments)
RMS on SCO, Distributions, DRM (On August 17th, 2003 with 711 comments)
OSDL Releases Q&A on SCO Legal Actions (On August 14th, 2003 with 285 comments)
SCO Attorney Declares GPL Invalid (On August 14th, 2003 with 1137 comments)
SCO Announces Final Termination of IBM's Licence (On August 13th, 2003 with 807 comments)
SCO Execs Dumping Stock (On August 12th, 2003 with 691 comments)
FSF, GCC, and SCO Compiler Support (On August 12th, 2003 with 525 comments)
SCO: Fortune 500 Company Buys License, IBM Retort (On August 11th, 2003 with 557 comments)
SCO Calls IBM Countersuit "Unsubstantiated Allegations" (On August 8th, 2003 with 972 comments)
IBM Countersues SCO, And More! (On August 7th, 2003 with 1156 comments)
SCO Targets US Government, TiVo (On August 6th, 2003 with 1539 comments)
SCO Wants $699 for Linux Systems (On August 5th, 2003 with 1659 comments)
SCO "Disappointed" by Red Hat Lawsuit (On August 5th, 2003 with 778 comments)
Red Hat Sues SCO, Sets Up Legal Fund (On August 4th, 2003 with 787 comments)
OSDL Position Paper on SCO and Linux (On August 1st, 2003 with 421 comments)

Hmm, a little bit better, 21 stories in 31 days. And we've got some of the juicy nuggets of the story to date, so far.

Because ./ posting seems not like lots of short lines, I'll just summarize the first months of the SCO/IBM lawsuit: 6(!) stories in July, 14 in June and 5(!) stories for May.

63 stories in 153 days = .41 stories per day. Why, that's not even 1 story every other day! If you wanted to be ge

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[Spackler]

And of those 25,320 comments, how many were in favor of SCO? Think about it Darl.

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[InfiniteWisdom]

You have way too much time on your hands, don't you?

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[Lord Custos]

Ironically enough, I actually posted two SCO stories, and they published neither. So I guess they *could've* put up at least 4 a day...but they showed remarkable restraint.
See:
2003-09-16 16:01:45 SCO Group screws over Loyal Ally in Holland (articles,caldera) (rejected)

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[DaveAtFraud]

63 stories in 153 days = .41 stories per day. Why, that's not even 1 story every other day!

You missed the obvious reason. The whiner who was complaining is bad at math. He went through the same careful research as you but threw a decimal place in the arithmetic.

Not!

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll give you a +1 (Sympathy Fuck) for that comment!

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[rifter]

So what you're saying is that Slashdot is dying? This seems to be consistent with the number of SCO posts, don't have to be a Kreskin, yadda yadda yadda.. ;)

Re:4 stories a day? BWAHAHAHA

[Anonymous Coward]

All that effort just to say they don't post 4 stories a day?

Which someone already said anyway?

When the original poster's claim was probably not meant to be taken literally in the first place?

Moscow?

[Anonymous Coward]

This just in from Moscow...

In SCOviet Union, kernel licenses you!

Hey - I'm a mormon!

[sunbane]

Hey, I'm a mormon too, but I think SCO's actions suck! Makes me want to scream filthy expletives!!!

Seriously though, there is nothing in our beliefs that say "thou shalt sue those that offend you". In fact it would be more the opposite - you know, the turn the other cheek thing, bless your enemies, etc. We view greed and pride as bad things too you know.

D&C 56:17 Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!

Wo unto Darl.

How exactly would his being mormon change your reaction to some of his statements? And your understanding of him as a person? If you are German, does that make you a nazi? Most likely not!

DDOS

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh great, post an SCO URL on Slashdot, slashdot their lame servers and Darl can put out another press release about the open source community launching DDOS attacks against his company.

I love you, you loon

[Anonymous Coward]

Marry me. Not much to ask, is it?

You know where to find me...

Everyone bring their tomatoes!!!

[johnwyles]

If I were to attend this meeting I know I'd have a bucket full of tomatoes to toss at these guys. I'd also probably start a chant, "Hell no, Down with SCO!" and be promptly escorted out. *shrug*

I suggest that knowledgeable people attend...

[Anonymous Coward]

I suggest that knowledgeable people attend and, in a gentle, friendly way, point out the technical shortcomings of SCO products. We've certainly heard a lot about that here on Slashdot.

Re:I suggest that knowledgeable people attend...

[rifter]

I suggest that knowledgeable people attend and, in a gentle, friendly way, point out the technical shortcomings of SCO products. We've certainly heard a lot about that here on Slashdot.

Unfortunately none of it has come from people knowlegeable with SCO Products. Then again, that never stopped a slashdotter before....

I don't buy HP products...

[Anonymous Coward]

If HP really is connected with the roadshow, that is another reason to fire Carly Fiorina. I don't buy HP products because of the company's uncertain future, as well as not being excellent any more.

Re:I don't buy HP products...

[BahMehFeh]

Dumb question.... Could this be an attempt to smear HP's view on protecting Linux customers? This simply doesn't mak sense to me. HP goes out on a limb to say "if you use Linux on our hardware, you're safe", then they turn around to contradict what they originally said. Microlite has a LOT more to lose. They create backup software for SCO (terribly unintuative backup software at that). With so many free (and better written) backup applications available on Linux, they'll likely not be able to compete. So, I ask, now that SCO has potentially smeared HP's name (by quickly putting up an HP logo on their www), how many Linux supports have been turned off HP? Just curious...

the Maddog look

[Anonymous Coward]

>things impeccably dressed, clean cut,

Sheesh! You expecting the geeks to get laid or what?

I say that instead we gather all the Maddog lookalikes. SHould be easier to gather this group than yours.

zeke

link for the pie guys

[Anonymous Coward]

You gotta love pranksters who have their own sites:
http://www.entartistes.ca/

the plan!

[golgotha007]

let's all wear white sheets to conceal our identities and then at the show locaton we can setup a burning lower case T for "Time to leave".

who's in?

How To Futz With The Roadshow

[FrankDrebin]

The roadshow starts in Toronto then moves to Boston. One quick phone call to US Customs from Toronto concerning a new extremist splinter group calling themselves Secret-Comdrades-of-Osama (SCO) ought to end the whole fuss immediately.

Re:How To Futz With The Roadshow

[Anonymous Coward]

No, no, no. Fingering them as terrorists might piss off the FBI or someone and they might try searching for the caller. Instead, you should say they are drug mules, smuggling narcotics through one of their orifices. That way, Darl and his crew can all receive a rectal examination.

It's "Attorneys General"

[Anonymous Coward]

I find it interesting that they're not setting foot in New York and several other states with strong Attorney Generals.

The plural of "Attorney General" is "Attorneys General." Attorney is the noun. (It's a weird one, too. It looks funny.) HTH.

SCO attacks SGI, delays against IBM

[Anonymous Coward]

SGI said in their 10-K that they received a letter from SCO telling them their UNIX license would be terminated October 14th. SGI believes their license is not terminable.

In other news, GROKLAW is reporting SCO have asked for the IBM case to be delayed by four months, as they say that they need extra time to prepare their responses to IBM and they want to add additional parties to the suit.

Linux users unite!

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's make sure they get at least one pie in the face in every city they visit.

I have a once in a life time urge just for SCO

[Anonymous Coward]

I can not understand the turmoil within.

What could it possibly be about SCO that impels an unsatiable desire to travel across the country only to defecate on a long flexible pole and hurl the produce of the previous evenings meal at a SCO director?

sharpend AOL CD's?

[Lost Penguin]

"I come in peace."
"And you SCO in pieces" :)

It WAS a good B movie, or am I so old, no one else remembers

Register those seats!

[sfmarco]

Let's all register for free, and take those limited seats.

Re:Register those seats!

[compactable]

Attended stop #1 of the roadshow (Toronto). Interesting. Little visible linux representation, but not a happy place regardless. Writeup @ my site (I can't be bothered re-writing what I put there)...

Exactly the wrong thing to do

[theonetruekeebler]

I have a feeling that he's halfway hoping somebody will pie him. That way, he can point at us and say we're rabid, we assaulted him, he's a martyr, we're petty. Stuff like that.

Maybe just turning your back the moment he walks up, and refusing to shake his hand. If there's an open mike, just say, "You're wrong, Mr. McBride," and sit back down.

Or better yet have a good old fashioned picket line outside. "DOWN WITH DARL" "SCO == IP THEFT", that sort of thing.

Re:Exactly the wrong thing to do

[Anonymous Coward]

sooooo...... you mean i shouldn't take my eggs out of the fridge now?

SCO asking for 4 Month delay

[bstadil]

Apparently SCO has asked for a 4 month delay so they can amend their pleadings and add additional parties.

If SCO really had a case they would not do this since time is not on their side. So why are they doing this?

Me Thinks Boies is bailing.

Off topic on the road show but if you want a running commentary from a lawyer on this whole fiaSCO look at this excellent site. The write up on promissory estoppel is quite good. It's a catch 22 for SCO

NDA contract?

[crashley]

I would sign up, but with my luck somewhere in the fine print there would be a NDA I wouldn't notice. Could be SCO's little way of suckering more people into yet another lawsuit.

Damn...

[rongage]

Damn - Not coming to Detroit. How can I take part in this once in a lifetime event if it's not even coming to my neighborhood???

HP Logo Gone

[bstadil]

Note the HP logo has wanished since /. posted this

Mod Parent Up!

[Lord of the Fries]

Well said! From another latter day saint (not located in Utah) who among with other LDS friends who are also Linux hackers are all really dissapointed at the "McBride might be a Mormon, so that must say something about Mormons" thoughts. They say "every family has one..."

Sun a true friend? I think not.

[leoxx]

HP may have some small relationship with SCO, but Sun is far far more involved in funding the SCO Scam(tm). Their words have been quite specific in their contempt for Linux and support for SCO's legal efforts.

Some relevant quotes from Sun on Linux, wrt SCO's case

"Also, let me really clear about our Linux strategy. We don't have one. We don't at all. We do not believe that Linux plays a role on the server. Period."

"If you use Linux on the server, even if we sold the distribution to you, you are on your own."

"While they [IBM] have done a superb job of telling the world that Linux is the future, but sadly it may be true for them because they don't own an OS. We, on the other hand, have a safe, compelling and affordable product called Solaris that runs on Intel, Opteron and SPARC."

On Sun's relationship to SCO:

"Meanwhile, Sun hopes to capitalize on its strong contract relationship with SCO for the Solaris operating system to cherry pick IBM AIX customers worried by the revocation."

Also, it is interesting to note that Sun didn't pay SCO for rights to Unix, they paid for access to the source of some unnamed device drivers:

"They made a buy versus build decision (for Solaris x86 Platform Edition) to get access to a bunch of drivers for contemporary versions of Intel (Corp.) hardware,"

[sarcasm]Because, you know, SCO's Unix is just so well supported by hardware vendors![/sarcasm]

just like the television show...

[The Lynxpro]

Considering SCO's Unix product offerings, they [SCO] need to be on an antiques themed show...

And just like the televised program, they'll be demonstrating a whole bunch of krap I'm particularly not interested in viewing... :)

Do I hear the television program's theme during the SCO Unix bootup?

Did HP respond to you?

[EdlinUser]

Please post if they did.
There seems to be a bit of confusion here as to whether HP is/was sponsoring this trip. It would good to see what they have to say.

HP is a big company. It's likely there are factions that welcome Linux and others that are afraid of Linux. Same for Sun. IBM continues to amaze me; they have company wide support for Linux. Thanks, IBM!

Re:Did HP respond to you?

[smkndrkn]

They did not. I'm sure they got a lot of emails today.

Kapitalism

[CHaN_316]

(Soviet Accent) Is this the famed 'invisible middle finger of Adam Smith' which powers the great Amrekia kapitalist ekonomy?

I will go if...

[frkiii]

Darl dresses in drag, all painted up, gets smashed on too much gin and belts out slurred show tunes sitting on Mr. Sontag's lap.

And I will hire a professional video camera person to record such. ;)

Regards,

Fredrick

Bring FREE Linux disks to hand out!

[peteo]

Would'nt it be great to go to each of these events and hand out FREE linux Disks to every one who enters/exits! It would be nice way to protest and give the people that go to the show a chance to try linux insted of SCO's Crap.
and NO they do not own linux so stop with the $699 jokes

SCO investors

[griffjon]

I got curious as to the current top holders of SCOX. Mostly, it's their execs, who've been selling it off like a prostitute sells BJs.

But that's hardly interesting, the institutional holders are the interesting ones. There's two big investment peoples in it. I began researching one , Integral Capital Partners and came across another geek who's ahead of me:

http://zgp.org/linux-elitists/20030829144815.379 8. qmail@lwn.net.html

The short of it is that Integral Capital Partners is the biggest outside holder of stock (over 4mil, reported Jun '03) . They have the same position in Drugstore.com. To quote the guy who researched the info in the link above, "> And lo and behold, guess who was just elected a director of Drugstore.com? Melinda French Gates. Yes, that Mrs. Gates. "

The other major holder, Pequot Capital Management, I've yet to find anything juicy on. They have Giga in their portfolio, and Securify... I'm still digging on them, feel free to peek at https://www.pequotventures.com/ for their website.

tom@microlite.com

[Anonymous Coward]

That's the president

HP is VERY Linux-friendly

[Wise Dragon]

Disclaimer: I work for HP, but this is my own opinion and rant, not HP's. IT wasn't approved by HP legal, wasn't run by any superiors, and should not be construed as anything but personal cheering for a company I am proud to work for.

There are a lot of great linux people working for HP, and I am proud to be a part of it. Here are some easily verifiable, public facts about HP.

HP looks for opportunities to give hardware to open-source projects. In fact, every time you download a kernel from kernel.org, you use hardware HP provided.

HP employs many Free software contributors, including some famous ones: Bdale Garbee, the former DPL, is HP's Linux CTO. Jeremy Allison of Samba, is employed by HP. HP is a major sponsor of OSDL which pays Linus Torvalds and Andrew Morton to continue their unbiased work on the linux kernel. Look at http://opensource.hp.com/.

A company does not attract talent like this with ideals like these people have without having a commitment to the Free Software/Open Source community. So just because SCO is playing games, don't think that HP appreciates it. HP opviously thinks their claims are bunk or HP would not risk indemnification. HP hopes to *encourage* people beFUDdled by SCO to run linux and not worry about it. It's a brilliant move on HP's part. All in my personal opinion of course.

For linux sake, and all the people HP employs to do linux, including me, buy HP products running linux. Vote with your pocketbook.

Re:HP is VERY Linux-friendly

[Anonymous Coward]

Folks, realize that HP is not the Borg Collective - it is still in many ways a bunch of 'companies within a company', with lots of bets being laid down to see what develops as winners.
As a result, don't be too surprised by the seemingly 'split brain' nature that this displays... each of these sub groups is trying to enlarge their piece of the pie, and hopefully doing so while making the pie bigger overall.

HP has been getting a little buttheaded lately...

[Atario]

...ferinstance, they're one of the ones with the inkjet cartridge chips and DMCA and all that jazz. Right? Now this. Hrmmm. Seems like the evil orcs are taking it over. An infestation, if you will. (They used to be one of the cooler companies...correct?)

Hebrew dominated media?

[Merk]

Um, the media I see is in English, not in Hebrew (normally used as a noun to describe the language, not the people, who are typically called Jews). And just to set the record straight, there are many Americans who aren't racist or anti-jewish, even in private.

On the other hand, I do happen to agree with the "bunch of frat boys running business". Their skin-color isn't an issue, but their fratboyness is.

As for McBride's religion, considering how religious most of the US is, it's not a big deal. The US Attorney General is a devout pentecostalist. Pentecostalists apparently believe that one should not engage in drinking, dancing, or going to the theatre.

Aside from him, Bush regularly uses religious messages in all his speeches. In a recent case there was a huge uproar over removing the protestant version of the 10 commandments from a Supreme Court building in Alabama.

For those of us who aren't religious, the rest of the country seems to bathe in religious kookery at times... so finding out that McBride is a moron... er... mormon is no big deal.

Re:Hebrew dominated media?

[benjamindees]

And just to set the record straight, there are many Americans who aren't racist or anti-jewish, even in private.

Also to set the record straight, it is neither racist nor anti-Jewish to recognize the fact that the US media are, primarily, owned and operated by Jews.

Wanted: PopeMobile

[bl8n8r]

Needed for 10/7/2003 road show.
All bulletproof glass must be intact.
Will pay by $$$ or stock options.

Please contact Darrell at 1-800-SCO-UNIX

A little distraction

[nimblebrain]

Protesting is one possibility. Another is to make sure there's a corresponding event for every road show stop they're making.

If you could get Kenny G concert booked and a Hooters swimsuit pageant going at the same time, you'd probably chop attendance by 90%.

Where exactly does it say HP are sponsoring this?

[Demerara]

I visited the SCO Roadshow page but could not see any reference to HP on there. It refers to Microlite as sponsors.
I also found the place where you can email HP CEO Carly Fiorino, but decided to confirm HP's involvement with SCO in general but the Roadshow in particular before letting rip at HP.

So, can anyone put HP together with SCO Roadshow?

Dallas

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll see you guys at DFW, picket signs in hand!

Linux users are free to attend (their own funeral)

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't fall for that, sure , they welcome you and offer you softdrinks, but beware, it most likely will be POISONED softdrinks, and then while all penguin people twitch in pains, they will collect all your bases and claim they are belong to them.

yupp, theres no doubt about it bubba, that's whats going down..

yum

[sewagemaster]

Agenda*

8:30am Continental breakfast
9:00am Welcome
9:15am Company Report Card ...


mmmmmmmmm continental breakfast....

Flash Mobs, anyone?

[dgulbran]

Seems like the perfect application to me...

Snap Server and Microlite

[pitr256]

This is a copy of the letter I sent to Microlite and Snap Appliance.

Dear Sirs and Madams;

My company is in the process of purchasing Snap Server 4500s for our workgroup environments and the 14000 for our data center needs. We looked at a number of solutions from different vendors and decided on the 4500 and 14000 because of their performance, use of Linux, and added features. One of those features was the inclusion of Microlite's Backup Express for backup to an external tape device.

Now it has come to our attention that Microlite is sponsoring The SCO Group's City to City Tour. As a company actively involved in using/developing GNU/Linux and other open source software, we find the Microlite sponsorship of a SCO Group deeply offending as we feel that SCO is basically trying to extort licensing from companies without having any right to do so and having not proven any thing in a court of law.

As such, we have decided to place the purchase order on hold and reevaluate other NAS devices. If Microlite does not remove sponsorship of the SCO Group's City to City Tour, we will recommend that the Snap Servers not be considered for purchase.

Sincerely,

Me

SCO Roadshow?

[MikeD83]

Is that kinda like the Antiques Roadshow of technology?

Since Darl's a Religious Man

[Macrobat]

Since Darl claims to be a Christian, ask him if his copy of the Bible skips the commandment about not bearing false witness against his neighbor. 'Cause that's what he's been doing lately.

I don't think HP is funding

[walterbyrd]

I think the HP logo has been removed from scox's web-page announcement.

However, lonetar and microlite are both funding scox. Another two products I plan to boycott.

Better...

[Anonymous Coward]

I think it would be better to give them the latest version of Knoppix. That should really impress them, and give them a taste of what GNU/Linux comprises (besides just the kernel).

If you really felt like it, you could remaster the Knoppix to change the background to some sort of anti-SCO image. Or at least stick the kernel source in after removing something unnecessary.

SCO news is better than NO news!

[StellarEX]

I suppose.

Re:HP has been getting a little buttheaded lately.

[Shirotae]

they're one of the ones with the inkjet cartridge chips and DMCA and all that jazz

I think you will find it was Lexmark who were in trouble with chips, and that was laser toner cartridges. The only HP ink cartridges with chips that restrict usage are certain ink-only ones for high volume business inkjets, where running out of ink, or using 5 year old ink, may damage the separate printhead.

There was briefly some DMCA nonsense some time ago, but I think you will find it was part of a disupte with someone who appeared not to be acting in good faith. I don't thing wielding DMCA is a regular tactic - I don't think it has been used again.

Also tons in Phoenix

[vistic]

There also are Mormons everywhere here in Phoenix (especially Mesa).

Every mile there's another Temple... and they sort of stick them onto every high school down here, too. I don't understand how that's not violating some concept of seperation of church and state.

You are part of it!

[Anonymous Coward]

damn liberal jew run media

headline: SLASHDOT SHOOTS OWN FOOT!

[whittrash]

I agree, here is an article to further that point that people should stop giving Darl more fodder.

http://www.linuxworld.com.au/nindex.php?id=9928835 0&fp=2&fpid=1

A few of quotes from that article:
"...one of my biggest concerns with the open-source software strategy: the inability to move against a threat strategically or in well-coordinated fashion."

"The (Linux)community has also has become a home for techno-insanity."

"The community must make a commitment to operate strategically to benefit the decision-makers who support open-source software,...rather than use these decision-makers as cannon fodder in the war against SCO."

The Linux community leadership is almost as bad as Darl when it comes to spouting off, and as a result (Just like SCO), they are endangering the future prospects for Linux adoption and enflaming the legal environment, giving the anti-Linux lawyers more openings for attack. That isn't smart. SCO ran its mouth off one time too many, and is now being counter sued by IBM over its violations of the GPL. If they had been smart and kept quiet, they might have gotten a better deal, now they are locked into a dispute with IBM, whereas before they always had the option of dropping the suit. Unless the open source leadership has something to say that is constructive, they shouldn't say anything, it could be used against them in court. And besides, what company is going to be comforted by the idea that the ESR/BP duo is going to launch a legal attack. What a joke. Forget about the SCO tour, it deserves to be ignored. That would be its ultimate punishment, a mocking silence.

Re:headline: SLASHDOT SHOOTS OWN FOOT!

[whittrash]

Do they serve free food, if they do, forget about what the above post.

"Free food always tastes better."
Peter Vevang

Duh....me do logic

[whittrash]

1. MHO, Linux is to SCO (Openserver or Unixware) what a Stegosaur is to a Velociraptor! They (SCO) are and have been fossilized and moribund for years now and should quietly go extinct.

Linux : SCO=Stegasaur : Velociraptor
SCO=Openserver and Unixware
Linux=Stegasaur
SCO=Velociraptor
Stegasaur=Dinasuar fossil + Herbivore
Velociraptor=Dinasaur fossil + Carnivore
Linux=Dinasaur fossil + Herbivore
SCO=Dinasaur fossil + Carnivore
'Linux' (Dinasaur Fossil)= 'SCO' (Dinasaur Fossil)
Carnivore > Herbivore or Carnivore eats Herbivore
The 'SCO' Carnivore eats the 'Linux' Herbivore
'SCO'(Dinasaur Fossil)='Linux'(Dinasaur Fossil)=Extinct
Both are doomed to be extinct. But SCO may eat Linux before that happens. Linux cannot eat SCO
Furthermore if you remove Carnivore and Herbivore from the logic, you get the following:
SCO=Unixware and Openserver=Dinasaur Fossil
Linux=Dinasaur Fossil
Linux=SCO=Dinasaur Fossil=Unixware and Openserver
Linux=Unixware and Openserver
CONCLUSION: You twit, this is exactly what Darl McBride has been saying all along!
Point 1: SCO is going to eat Linux
Point 2: Linux is equivalent to Openserver and Unixware

Re:Duh....me do logic

[Paracelcus]

Sounds like a Windblows user to me!

Keep praying that someday M$ will stop making such garbage that they have to break the law to compete!

All except Islam...

[Anonymous Coward]

Funny how someone's religious beliefs are irrelevant unless he's a Muslim.

According to the American media, we've practically monopolized the terrorism trade.

If Darl McBride was a Muslim, there'd be so much more shit about it on Slashdot!

how about we all registered one of the "limited"

[maxmg]

seats... wouldn't it be a shame if nobody showed up?

If RMS had been "tactful"....

[jotaeleemeese]

... we may be using only propietary closed software by now, and enjoying it.

Stop that meme. RMS is the best face of the Free Software community because is a guy that can put opinions forward with strong supportive arguments.

I don't understand why are there so many people afraid or uncomfortable about strong emphasis in rational defense of one's convictions.