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Insuring Linux, Thanks to SCO

Posted by michael on from the security-through-lawsuits dept.

jtheory writes "There's an interesting article on Salon.com (free daypass available, ads, etc.) about the counter-reaction to SCO's attacks on Linux, and how SCO may actually be one of the best things to happen to Linux lately, because their attacks have turned a lot of attention to the possible Achilles' heel in the code contribution process. Includes some good detail on OSRM, a company offering insurance against lawsuits like SCO's, who notably hired Bruce Perens and PJ of Groklaw fame, and is doing their own extremely thorough analysis of the code and any possibility of improperly included code. The founder of OSRM also wrote a story called Why the Linux Community Needs Open Source Insurance on LinuxWorld." We've mentioned risk insurance before.

15 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Why insure Linux? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can replace it for free???

  2. OS Insurance by the+MaD+HuNGaRIaN · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought Windows insurance was switching to Linux.

    What's Linux insurance--switching to Mac OS X?

  3. Can I get /. libel insurance? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seriously, folks.

  4. I, uh.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I for one welocme our new State Farm Overlords!

  5. Maybe I'm being dense but - by JosKarith · · Score: 4, Funny

    Uh... isnt this a little like somebody in a straw house thanking arsonist for burning other people's houses down just to prove they're flammable?

    --
    'Don't worry' said the trees when they saw the axe coming, 'The handle is one of us.'
  6. Out of bad things to say by superpulpsicle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Heh. I can't even flamebait SCO anymore. Every bad thing that you could say about the organization has already been said.

    1. Re:Out of bad things to say by jamonterrell · · Score: 2, Funny

      You'll now have to flamebait other companies by comparing them to SCO.

      --
      I can count to 1023 on my hands. Ask me about #132.
  7. But... by rampant+mac · · Score: 3, Funny
    "[...] Open Source Insurance"

    What if someone forks it?

    FireBird Insurance?

    --
    I like big butts and I cannot lie.
    1. Re:But... by mopslik · · Score: 3, Funny

      FireBird Insurance?

      After reviewing current trademark holdings, the FireBird Insurance Project has decided to adopt a new name:

      InsuraFox

      Please refer to all further policies by this name.

  8. I hate insurance by Cobralisk · · Score: 4, Funny
    Next thing you know, OS insurace will be required in order to legally operate a computer system.
    From: <officer@localpolice.gov>
    Subject: Speeding

    Pull over,
    I clocked you going 100Mbps in a 10Mbps subnet back there. May I see your license and insurance card? Did you know that it is unlawful to operate a network vehicle in the state of New York without a valid insurance policy?

    Please step away from the terminal,
    Sgt. Smith
    --
    Waiting for ad.doubleclick.net...
  9. Karma Insurance by CharonX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hmmm... so you can insure yourself against the perils of using Open Source (like getting sued by SCO).

    What I want is a Slashdot Karma Insurance.

    (In fact I could use one right away now, since this gonna end up (-1, Offtopic) ^^; )

    --
    +++ MELON MELON MELON +++ Out of Cheese Error +++ redo from start +++
  10. Re:I wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Slashdot search already gives an option to avoid low-scored posts. If speed is important, it seems better to replace the gruesome twosome of Perl and MySQL with something more robust. May I suggest Asp.net and MS SQL Server?

  11. Who Reinsures the Reinsurers? [n/t] by m000 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Shadow knows.

  12. Re:Geezus, please put me out of my misery. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    for real. They're claiming people need OS insurance.. and oh ya, we sell it!

  13. What? by fedork · · Score: 2, Funny

    You call this a SCO story?

    gone are those days! we used to have a REAL SCO story every day back then...

    --
    ...remember good 'ol times when IP used to mean Internet Protocol....