Linux Secure Enough For The Army

LordPixie writes " As summarized over at Defense Tech, the U.S. Army is soon to be infected with the infamous OSS virus. They have chosen Linux as the operating system for the abysmally named 'System of Systems Common Operating Environment,' a part of Army's planned Future Combat Systems."

Comments

one problem of Open Source

[quinto2000]

I personally object to software I develop being used for military applications. Luckily most of the F/OSS software I've created wouldn't be useful for them, but how ironic for the many people that create F/OSS because of humanitarian goals, to see it mis-appropriated for death and destruction. Not to mention how hard it is to stomach giving another free resource to the mis-named Defense Department when they already drain funding from social services, healthcare and education. (and yes, i realize that other people can still use Linux -- I just doubt that the DOD license purchasing budget will be reduced)

Re:one problem of Open Source

[CamMac]

One of the entire reasons OSS is such a great thing is that becuase its OpenSourced, if can be adapted for use in ways that the original coder never though of. And dispite the fact that most soldiers have a hard time with an excel function, the fact that they might have acess to the source could allow for in theater modifications. Adaptability is a great thing.

Of course, this includes ways the orignial coder might object to, but I'm sure they'll get over it. If your going to bitch about your software being used by the Department of Defense, remind me to not lift a finger when your getting your ass beat in some back alley. If your willing to help everyone but me, at no cost to you, why should I lift a finger to help you? Doesn't that fly in the face of OpenSource? I do give this to you in the HOPE that you might do something that might help me?

--Cam

Re:one problem of Open Source

[GypC]

Yes, abolish all armies and then there will be peace in the world.

*eye roll*

Grow up.

Re:one problem of Open Source

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Do you also have a problem using TCP/IP because it was a DARPAnet project to begin with? Hate to say it- but giving free resources to the mis-named Defense Department means that the government as a whole will have more money for social sercives, healthcare, and education- some smart congresscritter is sure to notice that FOSS licencing is cheaper than CS licensing and cut it from the budget.

Re:one problem of Open Source

[borroff]

Well, you can't have it both ways. Either OSS is totally unencumbered and free for public use, or not. You could write a license that says that it's free for everyone but the government or weapons manufacturers, but that's darn hard to enforce. I mean, do you really think the Pentagon obeys licenses and patent laws in cases of "National Security"?

Ethically, I would say you're blame free. If you build a house, and a serial killer moves in, are you an accessory to murder? Most tools (excluding guns and explosives, and even those can be debated) take on beneficial or harmful characteristics only when wielded by a person who has made a choice.

Re:one problem of Open Source

[fireweaver]

Aw jesus fucking christ on a bicycle, It does not matter what it is, somebody is going to figure out how to apply it to killing or enslaving his fellows. It's not a problem of technology, it's a problem of humans.

System of Systems Common Operating Environment?

[david.given]

Look, you can't come up with a name that bad by accident. They must have done it on purpose.

My theory is that some Linux fanatic in the DoD is giving the finger to a certain Unix vendor. Which one? Say the acronym out loud and you'll get it...