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Google Gives Reason Why it is Built on Linux

Posted by samzenpus on from the google-google-google dept.

Rob writes "A common reason why more governments and enterprises around the world are moving to open source software is unhappiness, it was revealed during a panel discussion at the LinuxWorld Conference in San Francisco yesterday. Google Inc open source programs manager Chris DiBona said the search giant has stuck with Linux throughout the company's life, in part, because it was unhappy with the terms of another software company. Which borgware company is he referring to?"

6 of 670 comments (clear)

  1. Which borgware company is he referring to? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Which borgware company is he referring to?

    It's Apple.

    Surprise.

    1. Re:Which borgware company is he referring to? by mattjb0010 · · Score: 5, Funny
      Apple Surprise

      A camping recipe from Patty. This recipe can be made in quantity for as many as you want to serve in the campground.

      INGREDIENTS:

      • 3 - 4 apples
      • shelled walnuts
      • butter or maple syrup

      PREPARATION:

      Cut apples into slices and take out core. Place apples on aluminum foil. Add walnuts and butter or maple syrup. Fold foil leaving an opening for ventilation. Place on campfire and cook at least 45 minutes, or until apples are soft, not mushy.

      Servings: 4
      Preparation time: 15 minutes

  2. Borgware, hmm... let me guess... by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 5, Funny

    Amiga?

    No, no wait... DEC. Yeah! Google is so fast because it does NOT run on a PDP-10.

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  3. Microsoft Cluster Server? by Bananatree3 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Why not just move the entire Google code base to Microsoft Cluster Server? I know it would mean a complete rewrite from the bottom up, and would require a whole new training program. You would also have to worry about serious security issues in the OS because you can't inspect the code. You would have to rely on a competitor to patch up problems. You would have to wait during "patch turnround time" which could be months (or never if Microsoft thinks its not really a big deal). You would have to be forced in to doing things the way Microsoft wants you to do things, and use their own "Super Secure" programs. And thats just the OS. You would have to pay through the nose on those pesky Site licences. To upgrade, theres another several hundred thousand (or millions) of dollars. And when they release Version 2.0, you have to go around and upgrade all the machines the way Microsoft wants you too.

    But! You would have the comfort of knowing that you are running a Certified Microsoft(R) Product!

  4. Must stop using slashdot vocabulary by Hydraulix · · Score: 5, Funny

    I almost got my ass kicked for using the word "borgware" today.

  5. Re:Not so sure by erroneous · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please don't allow your inconvenient alleged "facts" and "first-hand knowledge" and the fact that the story is about "you" get in the way of a good old-fashioned slashdot Microsoft bash.

    --
    erroneous: look me up in a dictionary