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The 'Hairy Guys' Vs. Microsoft
Jeremy Allison - Sam writes "The IHT is running the best write-up I've seen on the Microsoft vs EU Anti-Trust case, featuring quotes from tridge (Creator of Samba) and Carlo Piana (the FSFE lawyer). Nicely contrasts the difference between the Microsoft legal Team and the resources the FSFE has to work with. I was the FSFE witness for the initial hearing and the first trial, and this article nicely explains what it's like to be there." From the article: "The settlements left a group of computer programmers and activists, united under the banner of the Free Software Foundation Europe, with a bigger-than-expected role in supporting the EU's goal of loosening Microsoft's grip over the software industry. Only half-joking, one observer at the court this past week called some members FSFE and allies 'the hairy guys' - in contrast to the well- groomed legal teams fielded by Microsoft."
But hairy smelly guys with Cheeto encrusted fingers. Those are the people who do Open Source.
Everybody knows it is not Cheeto, but semen encrusted fingers you're talking about. From excessive masturbation due to the chronic inability to score with chicks.
Once upon a time a little elf created an OS that became widely used across the lands of developeria. A lot of other elfs liked the OS for whatever reason and developed lots of software for it that they sold for profit. The little elf, happy of his success, decided that his OS lacked some features that have become a necessity over the years, so he decided to include his own media and internet applications for free. Unfortunately for him, versions by other elfs already existed to perform those tasks, and when those elfs realized that they would lose profit they screamed in unison with their wee little voices. Instead of improving their own software they decided to blame the little elf, and side with the newly discovered lands of opensourcia.
And while over time other OSes were developed by other elfs that also included their own version of media and internet applications with virtually nonexistent documentation, the little elf had the misfortune of owning the most popular OS, and so he was forbidden to include these useful features under the guise of monopolia. The greedy little elfs were happy again for instead of creating a better version for the people of the lands, they were able to get profit from the little elf's work instead: "Poetic justice" they exclaimed in unison.
And yet what is considered justice to one is rather unjust for the other. And while the onlooker might draw the right conclusion when he reads this tale, his innocence and impartiality have long vanished since the time he was conceived; and so he might reply with what he has come to think of justice, or lack thereof.
The problem I have with BOTH cases in the US and the EU is this simple, doesnt anyone realize what they are asking for?!!!!!!
MS put a media player into the OS. Big freeking deal. People were downloading the things and using them so there was a 'need' for them. MS filled that need. Lets just say the EU is right. Then ALL os's should (and will have to) play by the same rules. OSX bye bye itunes. Linux distro? Bye Bye all those nifty little media player type applications.
Yet this is even MORE invasive than that. ANY bundled application could have to play by the same rules. OpenOffice? gone. Wine? gone. KDE? Gone. Gnome? Gone. GNU tools for linux? Gone. Some nice application that distinguishes my distro from yours? Gone. Where do we draw the line at? What is 'good' and what is 'bad'. How can we tell? Our customers ask us to put these things in.
The FOSS movment should *BE* in Microsofts corrner. It *WILL* hurt them later. It is rather short sided to think Microsoft will not remember this. They will use the SAME argument against you. Microsoft learns from its mistakes and becomes a shark. You all have just given them another way to compete against you.
Also doesnt anyone realize there has been a 'media player' in windows since at LEAST win 3.0 (sound rec)? The 'new' wizzy one was just an upgrade of it. The older one was showing its age.
Also where was it written that MS had to share its code with you? I thought that was the WHOLE reason for FOSS was freedom of choice! MS chose not to share with you. I have seen this time and time again. It is the 'open source' people who seem to get all bent out of shape. Yet MS just exercises their freedom to say no.
From what I have seen MS has actually done quite a bit to be compatable with you guys and you STILL bitch and moan. Dont belive me? Go read Raymond Chens blog.
From where I sit you want your cake and eat it too. Then have some of Microsofts while you are at it. And you all are calling Microsoft the bully. BAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So they can't choose to make their product how they want to?
Stupidity is like nuclear power, it can be used for good or evil. And you don't want to get any on you.