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New DoD Memo On Open Source Software

Posted by kdawson on from the rules-of-engagement dept.

dwheeler writes "The US Department of Defense has just released a new official memo on open source software: 'Clarifying Guidance Regarding Open Source Software (OSS).' (The memo should be up shortly on this DoD site.) This memo is important for anyone who works with the DoD, including contractors, on software and systems that include software; it may influence many other organizations as well. The DoD had released a memo back in 2003, but 'misconceptions and misinterpretations... have hampered effective DoD use and development of OSS.' The new memo tries to counter those misconceptions and misinterpretations, and is very positive about OSS. In particular, it lists a number of potential advantages of OSS, and recommends that in certain cases the DoD release software as OSS."

13 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. hmm military using OSS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    gives a new meaning to terms such as "fatal exception" and "kernel panic"

    1. Re:hmm military using OSS by sexconker · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think you meant "Colonel Panic".

    2. Re:hmm military using OSS by Migala77 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm still wondering what happened to General Protection Fault.

      Is he retired? Missing In Action?

    3. Re:hmm military using OSS by Penguinshit · · Score: 4, Funny

      Major Malfunction got promoted?

      --

      I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...

    4. Re:hmm military using OSS by md65536 · · Score: 5, Funny

      He was involved in some illegal operations and they ended up shutting down the whole program. I heard they were calling for the death penalty but his execution was halted at the last minute.

    5. Re:hmm military using OSS by Bat+Country · · Score: 2, Funny

      Somebody took exception to him.

      --
      The land shall stone them with the bread of his son.
  2. This is very odd... by Zarf · · Score: 5, Funny

    the government is acting intelligently. I feel strange.

    --
    [signature]
    1. Re:This is very odd... by sexconker · · Score: 4, Funny

      Faster than the speed of light.
      It's a tachyon memo from now to 2003.

      Just think! Once they receive the memo, 2003 and onward will happen with the new memo.
      Thus, the present will be altered, and we'll have all the benefits of the new memo being in effect for 6 full year.

    2. Re:This is very odd... by MichaelSmith · · Score: 2, Funny

      the government is acting intelligently. I feel strange.

      Maybe they have been taken over by aliens.

      --
      http://michaelsmith.id.au
    3. Re:This is very odd... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      But I thought Obama was personally responsible for every single thing in the massive US government! Are you saying the Internet lied to me?

  3. Crash! by hrimhari · · Score: 4, Funny

    And thus another chair is thrown in Redmond.

    --
    http://dilbert.com/2010-12-13
    1. Re:Crash! by elijahu · · Score: 5, Funny

      Shut up, Steve, and go back to figuring out how to get people to think that Windows 7 is as cool as Binging things on their Zune.

    2. Re:Crash! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      They're both funny because they both stem from ridiculous but true events. Ballmer threw a chair because he was pissed at Google for taking his employee. That's comedy gold. Stallman is afraid of water. That's also comedy gold. You're a fucking M$ fanboy baboon. That also is hilarious. Also, quite pathetic; yet, it's still hilarious.