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Open Source Not That Open?
mstansberry writes "At the Open Source Business Conference last week, Microsoft's Shared Source mouthpiece Jason Matusow argued the point that open source isn't really open. He said you can't just go changing code on supported Linux offerings without paying extra to companies like Red Hat or Novell. So as Linux is commercialized, it becomes less open. While Matusow made good points during his presentation, many in the open source community are skeptical of the idea at best."
Now with that flamebait title I should get some curious readers :D.
The most un-open thinkg about open-source I'd have to say is GCC. It encourages you to use it extensions*. To me one of the core concepts of freedom is portability/being free from vendor lock-in... well GCC does not provide that. IIRC Intel's CC can't compile the Linux kernel... so now you are locked into using GCC. How this is any different from Microsoft's "embrace and extend" I cannot fathom; nor do I assume RMS to have any nobler intentions than Bill Gates from that matter (both insane genius off on self-serving crusades which may accidently benefit others).
What if I'm on a platform not supported by GCC or one for which GCC produces poor binaries or I have special tools for a particular compiler etc?
*(I've read release notes where they begrudged removing an extension when becoming more compliant and there is a comment about not trying to check for ANSIness in the man page)
Your CPU is not doing anything else, at least do something.
Some people think that having a hood on their vehicle that gives them access to the engine means that they can actually be their own mechanics. This simply isn't true. Sure, you might change your own oil, replace an alternator, keep an eye on your belts and your transmission fluid. But that doesn't mean anything, really.
You can't single-handedly change the way Honda or VW manufacture their products. Just because you replace your ECM with an after-market high-performance ECM doesn't mean that Chevy will start including the ECM you chose in all future models. So you really haven't accomplished anything! It's all a big falacy.
Ford should weld their hoods shut. It would reduce the risk of people tampering with the engine while the car is parked on the side of the road. And it might improve the impact safety in the event of a collision.
Open hoods accomplish nothing but a lot of noise and hoopla.
ooohhhhh!!!! BURRRRNN!!!! you go girlfriend!
When will you hippies realise that communism doesn't work, and never will work!
Nothing costs nothing