Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

"Show Us the Code" Breaks Its Silence

Posted by kdawson on from the getting-out-of-the-kitchen dept.

DigDuality writes with an explanation of the silence of the Show Us the Code initiative. The push he began — to gather influential sponsors demanding that Steve Ballmer reveal what Linux code he believed to be infringing Microsoft patents — was discussed here last February. "Show Us the Code has been silent since March 23. May came and went — the deadline allotted for calling Ballmer's bluff — but the site gave no update. I now explain the silence. After a scheduled interview with Forbes columnist Dan Lyons didn't happen, and my place of employment falsely accused me of representing that they endorsed my own political goals, I decided it was best to shut my mouth so I would be able to keep paying my bills. I'm glad to see Linus now publicly echoing the sentiments that this site espoused. Maybe someone already accustomed to the limelight will have better luck in challenging Microsoft's FUD machine."

3 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Failure Point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I decided it was best to shut my mouth so I would be able to keep paying my bills. Huh sounds like a very oppressed/restricted existence. What country did you say you were living in again? Because, that sounds like a methodical way for an institution to restrict any citizen's rights.

    I was not in a position to start bucking my place of employment over a political cause. No, you might not have been in a position to start 'bucking your employment over a political cause' but it sure sounds like you were a victim of political oppression. As long as you didn't use company resources (time, servers, contacts, etc) to run and create your site, you're ok. Hell, you're better than 'ok,' you're speaking your mind.

    Twice, for a brief 10 minute period I used a work machine to upload some files I had on a USB key to the site via FTP. See, you're not as smart as you claimed you were. That's where you fucked up. Big time. Can you say you didn't charge those 20 minutes? Can you claim it equivalent as a 'smoke break?' No, you can't because those servers are priceless and you used them. Had you not made that mistake, not only would your site still be operating and fully justified, you'd probably have a large settlement headed your way as your Fortune 1000 company had just tried to silence your political speech. You should have done everything in your own free time with your own resources.

    Why'd you fuck up, man? Why'd you ruin your great idea by failing to uphold your altruistic ideas?

    You're wondering why you never got your interview? Because you failed. Everything was there except for the simple realization that you don't fuck with your companies resources when you're working on something for yourself and your community.

    Note to next champion: engage brain.

    I know you're sorry that this didn't work out. But not as sorry as the entire community that supported you.
  2. Pussy.... by tjstork · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    This guy has no credibility whatsover. He goes out and blows out a big stink, doesn't get his advertising hits, and then blames it all on the mysterious and evil forces of dark capitalism in order to cover his ass. I'm playing my violin!

    --
    This is my sig.
  3. Re:Keep paying bills by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    If you can't continue the project, maybe you could turn it over to someone else?

    Exactly! There are plenty of Slashdotters around who have no kids nor pets to feed, and might feel more emboldened to fight the good fight.

    And there might even be some that have some juicy info on their CEO, protecting them from this kind of intimidation...