Theo de Raadt Discusses OpenBSD and Beyond

emil writes to tell us that NewsForge (Slashdot Sister Site) is running an interview with OpenBSD project leader Theo de Raadt. In the interview Theo explores the upcoming release of OpenBSD 3.9, continuing financial difficulties, and some of the tension between the OpenBSD team and other businesses that some feel are taking advantage of the free software without giving anything back. In related news the Jem Report has an interesting writeup that expounds on widespread difficulties that could be faced if the OpenBSD project continues its downward spiral because of their parallel development of OpenSSH.

Comments

stay on topic

[r00t]

Finally, for real, today's topic is: BSD is dying

All other posts are off-topic. Enjoy!

You doity raht

[The Famous Brett Wat]

Is it just me, or does anyone else always feel the urge to pronounce "Theo de Raadt" as "Theo da Rat" with a mafia godfather style accent?

Re:Job interview question

[IgnoramusMaximus]

I was recently asked in a job interview "If Theo de Raadt and Dan Bernstein were locked in a room with knives, who would you want to come out alive?"

At which question I would have gotten up, broken off a leg table, and proceeded to ask "Where are they?!" so that I can proceed to give Dan a hand, musing to myself that it is at times like these that I wish I were a gun nut.

I am afraid this kind of a reaction would have been rather popular amongst those who had a pleasure of reading Theos' "conversations" with people on some of the USENET groups of old. Theo is just such a charming, loveable guy that swiss army knives open spontaneously in people's pockets at the very mention of him.

BSD Unification the Savior?

[JRGhaddar]

I'm not a developer, but I sort of understand the BSD world.

OpenBSD - led by Theo (whom apparently has a lot of enemies) is a BSD based distribution with the core focus being security

FreeBSD - A BSD distribution based on making it really fast

NetBSD - A BSD distribution based on optimizing Network Configurations

[Please correct any of that so I personally can understand the flavors of BSD better]

Okay why don't the individuals from all three get together and create AllBSD?

I mean take the best parts and make a speedy secure network optimized distro?

I mean what is the point of open source if its not about individuals working together to make the optimum software based on peer review? Is this for the glory of one individual distro? That seems to go against the very mindset of opensource. I understand each distro brings something different to the table, but why not have a centralized distro that everyone contributes to AND have your special spinoff version. The main distro could be licensed out(making $) which then the proceeds could be divided equally among the other distros, and they can make extra money hawking shirts/cds dontations etc.

The very instance one individual(distro) thinks it's better than the cause itself is when things began to decay. Linux is different because they don't squabble (SCO doesn't count they aren't human but monsters grown in a M$ petri dish) and each one provides its own niche in the linux market. BSD is its own tiny market, and consequently can't afford that luxury...yet. A unification for the cause of BSD would instantly put BSD as a forefront as a major OS alternative, and definitely has a lot going for it due to OSX showing that an OS derrived from BSD can be successful.

Like I said I'm not a developer, but I really believe that a BSD deserves a chance to move away from the individual bickering and crying I see currently going on.

Please feel free to reply and shed some light on this situation so I can better understand.

[I appologize for any grammar/spelling mistakes]

Re:what a whiner

[giorgiofr]

the ssh 1.3 source would probably have been picked up by GNU and we'd have free GnuSSH

which would suddenly turn off encryption on your channel and pop up RMS's face saying "You are using this software for something *I*, his Imperial Majesty RMS, happen not to like today or maybe in the future, therefore I will stop it. I also hope your OS crashes and burns because it's not running HURD."
Thanks, I'll keep using the *really open* OpenSSH.

Re:Problem with BSD licencing

[Plunky]

The thing to me that most sucks was that Stallman and the BSD folks basically made a bet on human nature. The optomists are losing badly.

You might consider me one of those optomists, since I release software under the BSD licence.

How have I lost anything? I gave what I had away, with no expectation of rewards..

In fact I gained something. I gained the smugness I am showing to you now.

Absolutely

[theolein]

This whole Slashdot anti-Theo movement is lame

I agree wholeheartedly.

-Theo

Re:Hmm...

[jbailey999]

GPL people are cool. I like to make copies of them. The only problem is that everytime I give one a way, I have to give the damned cloning formula away...

Re:Hmm...

[kv9]

nice troll. however i do believe that he wants money to support the project and not his drinking habits.

Re:Let's be Objective about this, was Re:Hmm...

[coolGuyZak]

From the beginning of history, the two antagonists have stood face to face: the creator and the second-hander. When the first creator invented the wheel, the first second-hander responded. He invented altruism.

At least the first second-hander was still being original--before that, theft didn't exist. What we really should be careful of are those second second-handers.