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Microsoft Fracturing the Open-Source Community
TechGeek sends us to eWeek, where Mark Shuttleworth is quoted to the effect that Microsoft has succeeded in fracturing the Linux and open-source community with its patent indemnity agreements. Quoting: "Microsoft's strategy was to drive a wedge into the open-source community and unsettle the marketplace, Shuttleworth said. He also took issue with the Redmond, Wash., software maker for not disclosing the 235 of its patents it claims are being violated by Linux and other open-source software. 'That's extortion and we should call it what it is,' he said." Shuttleworth added, "I don't think this will end well for the companies that slipped up and went down that road."
Shuttleworth should have known this before stating it
Actually, the only thing holding me back from switching to Linux completely is the horrible and useless installation of new apps. Why can't Linux work like Windows - download a setup file, run it and it's there.... if you don't like it, you choose "Uninstall". The last time i tried to install a new game on a Linux box, I descended into dependency hell and it took hours to get it running. The same game was a one file download on Windows, and took 15 minutes - including download time. Windows is a horrible mess. but for installation and unistallation, it's far better than Linux is right now.
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Microsoft doesn't have to fracture the OSS community. It does a fine job at fracturing itself.
.. What the fuck ever .. Why even argue over this shit.
"RMS IS A GOD"
"RMS IS AN IDIOT"
"YOU'RE AN IDIOT FOR NOT SEEING RMS IS A GOD"
"YOU'RE AN IDIOT FOR THINKING IM AN IDIOT FOR THINKING RMS IS A GOD"
And so on..
We make people into these cult-like status symbols, when in actuality, they shit like the rest of us do... Free software is good. Yes. OSS is good.
Freedom as in
GPL isn't freedom. Want freedom? Release all code as Public Domain, TOTALLY free.
Who fucking cares if Tivo uses it in their device. Means it was GOOD CODE.
I'll get modded down and flamed for this post, which will further fracture the community.
Good job!
= Grow a brain...
>Maybe you've just been lucky to work in companies that actually have a clue. Most don't, especially about technology.
Again you are a poor little confused idiot.
We are not talking about technology here. Remember that? Do you even know what the topic of this conversation is? It's not technology. It's software licenses. It's legal stuff.
For gods sake why are you so dense?
>As far as I've seen most people - and businesses - pay about as much attention to software licenses and EULAs as they do to the terms they're agreeing to when they buy a toaster.
Either they pay attention or they don't. If they don't pay attention then they are not afraid of the GPL because they have no idea what it is. If they are paying attention then they are not afraid of the GPL because they read it.
>Anyway, your whole point is that the GPL is easy to understand. Unquestionably. I'm not arguing that.
That's exactly what you are arguing. You are arguing that somebody who is smart enough to start and run a business, pay his taxes, keep his books straight is too stupid to read and understand the GPL.
>My point is that most businesses don't want to read the GPL, because they don't want to change how they do things,
Why would reading the GPL suddenly make you change your business plan?
>his is what I meant by people being comfortable with paying for software; it's simply easier than trying to think about it in a different way.
Apparently you are too dumb to understand so I will repeat myself again. I don't think you have the brain power to actually understand what I am about to say again but I will do it anyway.
1) You can pay for GPLed software.
2) Paying for software in no way, shape or form frees you from the obligations of software licensing.
Did you get that you stupid shit. Paying for software has nothing to do with your obligations under the EULA or License.
Did you understand that retard? Paying for software has nothing to do with your legal obligations.
Do you need me to repeat that one more time?
evil is as evil does
I don't think you understand what I have been saying. Installation on Linux is crappy for users for two reasons : 1. You download a RPM (Let's say). Then you have to open a RPM manager, and use that to install. That is (at least) one extra step more than windows. 2. Ever try to just go out and grab a "Linux Application"? Let's face it - there is no single "Linux Software" - you have to make sure that it is compatible with your distro of Linux and the version of the Kernal. In windows, if it says "Compatible with Windows 98" then you know you can run it... Of course, it's not quite that simple, but it is still easier than Linux. The fact is, Linux is not ready for Prime Time yet. It's a great OS and has a lot of potential. But windows and OS/X still trump it in the area of ease of use.
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