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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."
I would disagree. If Microsoft went the way of the dodo, essentially the entire gaming community would be SOL (except for the console folks). You can't tell me the same lame gamers that have a hard time binding keys in CS (even after playing for 5 or 6 years) woul dbe smart enough to install custom video drivers in Linux. I won't even touch the gameplay factor on OSX. Not saying Windows is the greatest, but MS is the only one who stepped up to the plate at the right time to offer a graphics solution that works.
Using GPLed software does not obligate you to anything. Only distributing does.
Remember not everybody is as stupid as you are. Most people read and are able to understand the GPL license.
evil is as evil does