Slashdot Mirror
General Motors Embraces Open Source for New Community Site
An anonymous reader writes "GM has introduced a new website called GMnext. The site utilizes Wordpress and launching in spring a Wiki allowing General Motors to get better feedback on topics such as energy, design and technology from the community. The interesting part is the executives at GM are participating in the collaborative website. 'We're starting our second century at a time of fundamental change in the auto industry,' said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner. 'We'll use GMnext to introduce some of our ideas for addressing critical issues concerning energy, the environment and globalization. In the process, we also hope to spark a broader, global discussion on these important topics.'"
All that talk of auto industry fundamental change? Well that means $$$. Wouldn't surprise me if they are looking for deals from MS. Cut expenses anywhere/anyway you can right? Start saying were gonna go FOSS and MS will say how about we give you a deal.
These people don't give a shit what anyone thinks. IMO it's a thinly veiled attempt at generating some good PR that GM hopes will sway people to support them when they file for bankruptcy and go to the government with their hat in their hands. Either that or they'll be looking to get out from under all their pension liabilities above and beyond the retiree health benefits which they already got out from under IIRC. GM's officers and board of directors should have to put their wives and daughters on the street if necessary to hold up their end of the deals they freely made.
Open source or no open source, they made their bed and now they can lie in it. Hogwash PR barely even newsworthy.
The timing of this was not random...GM CEO Rick Wagoner is a keynote speaker at CES this weekend, and next weekend is their bread and butter, the Detroit Auto Show. Undoubtedly this was timed to create buzz for them at these events. It is a pretty cool idea, and I hope GM and their customers make the most of it. Bob Lutz seems like the kind of guy who would love this. But I also wouldn't be surprised if we never hear much about it again after the next couple of weeks.
Airplane Photos, Airline News, Planespotting Guides
How about open sourcing the Volt? And standardizing its batteries (to spur innovation for replacements down the line)? And delivering it before 2010? That'd be something to get excited about...
What I really want is an open source car. I'd love to be able to look at or alter the software that runs cruise control and stuff like that.
Seek and ye shall find.
I agree. It also seems that everyone has forgotten that GM is the biggest promoter of spyware in their cars. The On-star system for one (which you might remember from past Slashdot articles) lets a hostile attacker listen in on your conversation, as well as take control of key elements of your car. All without your knowledge, or approval or control.
While I applaud even this limited attempt by some small faction within GM to try to embrace Open Source, GM has been the greatest control-freak in the US car industry, and is certainly right up there in the world.
Still, a move like this gives me some hope that we'll eventually see Open Source cars someday among the car manufacturers.
So, GM should be applauded. But let's bring it all out in the open. Until then, I will never, ever buy a GM car. But I will support them in their move towards Open Source.