Scanner Spots Open Source Installations

Mike writes "Information security firm OpenLogic has begun letting users download 'Discovery,' an application that scans Windows, Linux, and Solaris machines and attempts to identify open source software. The Discovery application claims to identify more than 5,000 versions of the top 900 open source packages. The scanning engine is able to detect open source installations whether they were installed explicitly or bundled with other software products. Kim Weins, vice president of marketing, says 'We developed it in response to customers not knowing what open source programs they were using.' I can't help but think that this a move to slyly demonize FOSS by scaring businesses into thinking they don't know what's on their PCs."

Comments

Re:Just what I'd want...

[Mister Whirly]

No, it isn't simpler to retrain every one of your users to use a completely new OS. It may be easy for the typical Slashdot geeks to jump to and fro operating systems, but to the average user, (who often needs help logging in for Christ's sake) no it is not simpler. If I need to spend 4 hours X 50 users it is not cheaper than just buying a license.