Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

VMware Affirms Open Source Commitment By Becoming Gold Linux Foundation Member (betanews.com)

Posted by msmash on from the reaffirming-commitment dept.

Reader BrianFagioli writes: Today, VMware showed its commitment to the open source community by becoming a Linux Foundation Gold Member. The company joins many other successful companies at that level, such as Facebook, Toshiba, and Toyota, to name a few. "VMware has been involved in open source for years, by contributing to existing open source projects as well as open sourcing some of the company's own code. This includes significant participation in and contributions to Linux Foundation projects such as Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP), Cloud Foundry and Open vSwitch, as well as other open source projects including OpenStack. Becoming a Gold member of The Linux Foundation will enable VMware to become even more active in the open source community by leveraging The Linux Foundation's experience and expertise in how to most effectively contribute to and utilize open source technology," says The Linux Foundation.

7 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. What a commitment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How about "VMware Affirms Open Source Commitment By Releasing Source For All Products". That would be a commitment.

    1. Re:What a commitment... by rakslice · · Score: 2

      This. For anyone who missed the story so far, VMware is a bit busy dealing with their commitment to open source at the moment (https://sfconservancy.org/copyleft-compliance/vmware-lawsuit-faq.html). This news could also tell us something about the Linux Foundation's commitment to open source and/or unwillingness to let a fundraising opportunity like this pass by?

  2. You've got to be kidding by RonVNX · · Score: 2

    If joining the Linux Foundation is what passes for making a commitment to FLOSS, then it's all over for FLOSS.

  3. VMWare is a GPL Violator by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 2

    VMWare is a GPL violator and got off of its most recent case on a technicality. Any Linux developer can restart the case.

    The Linux foundation is sort of like loggers who claim to speak for the trees. Their main task is to facilitate the exploitation of Open Source rather than contribution to it.

    --
    Bruce Perens.
    1. Re: VMWare is a GPL Violator by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 2

      Look for news from when they eliminated the community board position, when they stopped funding SFLC, when they accepted Microsoft as a member.

      --
      Bruce Perens.
  4. Re:Accusations of GPL violations by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 2

    It means they violated the GPL and the case first brought against them did not succeed due to an issue not connected to the merit of the case.

    --
    Bruce Perens.
  5. Re:What are the requirements? by arth1 · · Score: 2

    They employ Linus Torvalds. Linus is busy with his own stuff - Linux. He doesn't in any way run or direct the Linux Foundation.
    Corporations and business people do.

    Up until last year, individuals were also involved in electing board members and holding elected positions. Now, they've kicked individuals out and it's all companies, and influence based on how much money the companies contribute. Of which only a small part goes back to support projects.

    As so many other things, it started out with noble intentions, and became something very different after the suits took control.