No, Microsoft does not want to outlaw open source. What Microsoft is most afraid of, I think, is the fact that there are now millions of lines of "viral" source code, as some folks are putting it, out there now. I suspect Microsoft's biggest fear is either:
A: Getting caught using GPLed code in their software.
Or..
B: Having to defend themselves against any accusation that they used GPLed code, whether they did or not. And on this concern, I can see some small amount of validity.
The biggest problem GPLed code could cause for software developers is by getting Cool Stuff Done First. Imagine having an idea that someone GPLed some code for first, then trying to make a profit off it. That, I think, is where Microsoft is starting to be afraid. Or at least, they should be. Once the Open Source movement starts to move on to innovation (Which I see happening sometime within the next year or so.) especially in the areas of User Interface design and solid API level work, it will become increasingly more difficult for MS and the other major developers to work without having to be damn careful of what code comes from where.
So what I think MS is hoping for by talking about the evils of Open Source, is just to get government funding and facilities away from projects that might open up more GPLed code to the world. If you can't beat 'em, cut the resources out from under them.
Hm, okay. That's good and simple. I thought it was something like that, but wondered if there were more to it than that. I have to admit, from a personal standpoint I rather like the viral nature of the GPL, put that way. People who say the GPL is going to die, obviously have no idea about the rationale of someone using the GPL. I think the only way the GPL will ever lose major credibility in this case, is if the Linux kernel tree changes.
I worry sometimes about the GPL's chances for survival in this extremely litigous society we have. Sure, it's most likely that some corporations out there, big corporations out there, are taking GPLed code and using it themselves without letting anyone know. But who can afford to bring a GPL based lawsuit against someone doing this?
I would find it an amazingly amusing thing, if some Microsoft programmer came out and said ''Microsoft is using GPLed code in Windows XP.'', and someone was able to get their hands on proof, in court. What would this result in, the enforced release of the entire Windows XP source tree?
I see a lot of comments about the BSD license, and many of those seem to think it is in some way better than the GPL. Could someone summarize the differences between the two, without just RTFLing at me or quoting huge blocks of the legalese?
Okay. The NetBSD and other potential of the Dreamcast hardware is immense. You could take the DC, set it up with a small LCD screen and perhaps soon make a car MP3 player with a little hardware hacking to reduce disc vibration.
But, I just spent $30 to make my DC hook in with my cheapo 5.1 surround system, and my VGA monitor. Then I got Phantasy Star Online.
As much as I expect to have great fun playing around with new ideas and new uses for the Dreamcast hardware in the next year or so... It's going to be awfully damn hard to tear me away from what ten minutes of wandering has already shown to be one of the best MMORPGish experiences ever released. This game IS the perfect example that Sega does games best.
As to the critic telling me to study... Hey, I got a 3.97 last semester, get off my back.:)
Dead in production or not, there're supposedly 1.2 million unsold Dreamcast systems that'll still be in the retail pipeline. With the machine at $99 and the broadband adapter for sale through the Sega Store for $59, you can get a really killer new toy, cheap. And I've gotta say, it annoys me sometimes that all the talk here in Slashdot seems to expect that geeks will all be making the Silicon Valley bucks. A lot of us don't, a lot of us -won't-, and we (Well, okay, I) get annoyed that every Cool New Geek Toy(tm) seems to cost an entire month's pay.
I just spent the cash on my Dreamcast (Got it at $149, will get it price-match refunded in a couple weeks, I'm sure) and will be shelling out for the broadband adapter soon. There aren't a lot of Just Because I Can(tm) toys for geeks making $8.50 an hour part-time working the tech support desk at a college.
And there's another rant. Gah! Working for an MCSE in a shop with two mission critical Linux boxen. Fun, usually, to be the only half-clued one, but kinda depressing.:)
And fortunately he knows when to leave the Linux machines the hell alone. And fortunately for our network, so do I. Basic maintenance, I can do. DHCP file configuration, I can do. Kernel patching, I can do, Samba, I can do. Apache I can do. Whenever something I can't do comes up, I don't even try.
I suppose in some cases the MCSE is worth a bit more than it might seem. I sure know I hate navigating through the maze of crap that is a Microsoft OS. You -need- a certificate to clean up that kind of mess. Linux/unix seems so logical it's just easier.
Mosix? I suppose it's no surprise that I haven't heard of it. Been too busy the last year getting Windows crammed down my throat at school to look at anything more arcane than Slashdot headlines cover. If it's a kernel patch mod, I could probably do that quite easily. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll probably just take the systems I can allocate (Between 12-30) and try both methods.
Gee, and I was feeling bad about not knowing enough about Linux. Guess it's better sometimes to be decently rounded in more than one OS rather than entrenched in ANY single one.
Nice to know I can set up a Windows 2000, Linux, -and- Windows 98 network in a few hours.:) Now if only my video card was supported by QNX...
I can accept that. See, I'm looking for excuses to do it, rather than doing it for a pre-existing task. Just knowing I can walk into my workroom/office at school, point to a stack of Dell OptiPlex XL-5100s and say "This is my cluster, there are many others like it, but this one is mine." is really the point. If running a web server isn't optimal, is it -possible-? If it's not possible, okay. Is there a Beowulf SETI@Home client yet?
Usefulness isn't so much a consideration with this, as amusement. Plus, odd as it may seem, the switches we've -got-, thanks to a huge infrastructure updating a year and a half ago. But that money didn't include clients, OR servers. Just network cabling and routing. Getting administration to get us any new desktop hardware would be like pulling teeth with tweezers.
Okay, I've had it.:) I can't even get in the first five posts without winding up non-moderated.:) So let's see, I'll stoop as low as to reply to myself and add more info. Probably get modded down, too.
I've got access to a decent Baystack switch, a few 10/100 ether cards, a dozen or so Pentium 100 machines, some CD-ROM drives and other assorted parts to make a cluster with. Now, I have to wonder as a total Beowulf newbie, will 32M of RAM, 1G of HD, and these CPU's actually be worth playing with as something like a web server? Currently this highly under-funded technical college where I work and attend, has a single P100 with 48M and Slackware handling everything web and DHCP related.
Now I can slap together a Beowulf cluster out of a few dozen P100s sitting around at the technical college where I work without having to watch my GPA hit the floor while I'm so distracted.:) Of course, this assumes I can scrounge up decent amounts of RAM... And that it'll work at all... And...
The pay's not as good, the benefits are stable, and you usually get a union of some kind for State or Federal employees anyhow. And it's REALLY hard to lose a government job when you're on full-time, thanks to the anti-PHB protections that the government has put in place.
Historically, refusing to publish review/comment on things can be a pretty punishing retaliation tactic. Just look all the way back to the mega-media-mogul days of William Randolph Hearst and his complete refusal to allow any of the media under his control (An amount so obscene at the time that even AOL/TW pales in comparison)to publish any comment at all in regards to Citizen Kane. Watch 'RKO 281' sometime for further info.
I read the articles, was a bit worried after the specter of last year. Why? Well, granted it's a 10 cent increase, but last month I got screwed by putting off a RAM purchase just a week too damn long. I thought to myself ''Hey, next week I'll buy some RAM when I have some cash.'' and that was good. The following week rolled around, and wow, whee, yippee, RAM had gone up nearly fifty damn percent. I could no longer afford to buy any RAM.
Last month I said to myself ''Hey, this month I'll pick up a new harddrive for the game machine so I can drop my 8.4G into the Linux box. NEXT month, I'll get that 256M RAM upgrade I've been dreaming about.''
Next damn weekend. Saturday, I was going to place my order. But now THIS stuff happens and I wind up needing to get a loan from folks in order to get the RAM now instead of next weekend, when, despite what -really- happens with the market, it's pretty sure the prices will be somewhat higher than now.
Sigh. Sometimes I feel like I need to just sell the computers and start lumberjacking.
The fresh air, the forests, the ability to scream at the top of my lungs and only tick off the deer.
Slashdot Mirror
A: Getting caught using GPLed code in their software.
Or..
B: Having to defend themselves against any accusation that they used GPLed code, whether they did or not. And on this concern, I can see some small amount of validity.
The biggest problem GPLed code could cause for software developers is by getting Cool Stuff Done First. Imagine having an idea that someone GPLed some code for first, then trying to make a profit off it. That, I think, is where Microsoft is starting to be afraid. Or at least, they should be. Once the Open Source movement starts to move on to innovation (Which I see happening sometime within the next year or so.) especially in the areas of User Interface design and solid API level work, it will become increasingly more difficult for MS and the other major developers to work without having to be damn careful of what code comes from where.
So what I think MS is hoping for by talking about the evils of Open Source, is just to get government funding and facilities away from projects that might open up more GPLed code to the world. If you can't beat 'em, cut the resources out from under them.
Hm, okay. That's good and simple. I thought it was something like that, but wondered if there were more to it than that. I have to admit, from a personal standpoint I rather like the viral nature of the GPL, put that way. People who say the GPL is going to die, obviously have no idea about the rationale of someone using the GPL. I think the only way the GPL will ever lose major credibility in this case, is if the Linux kernel tree changes.
I would find it an amazingly amusing thing, if some Microsoft programmer came out and said ''Microsoft is using GPLed code in Windows XP.'', and someone was able to get their hands on proof, in court. What would this result in, the enforced release of the entire Windows XP source tree?
I see a lot of comments about the BSD license, and many of those seem to think it is in some way better than the GPL. Could someone summarize the differences between the two, without just RTFLing at me or quoting huge blocks of the legalese?
But, I just spent $30 to make my DC hook in with my cheapo 5.1 surround system, and my VGA monitor. Then I got Phantasy Star Online.
As much as I expect to have great fun playing around with new ideas and new uses for the Dreamcast hardware in the next year or so... It's going to be awfully damn hard to tear me away from what ten minutes of wandering has already shown to be one of the best MMORPGish experiences ever released. This game IS the perfect example that Sega does games best.
As to the critic telling me to study... Hey, I got a 3.97 last semester, get off my back. :)
I just spent the cash on my Dreamcast (Got it at $149, will get it price-match refunded in a couple weeks, I'm sure) and will be shelling out for the broadband adapter soon. There aren't a lot of Just Because I Can(tm) toys for geeks making $8.50 an hour part-time working the tech support desk at a college.
And there's another rant. Gah! Working for an MCSE in a shop with two mission critical Linux boxen. Fun, usually, to be the only half-clued one, but kinda depressing. :)
I suppose in some cases the MCSE is worth a bit more than it might seem. I sure know I hate navigating through the maze of crap that is a Microsoft OS. You -need- a certificate to clean up that kind of mess. Linux/unix seems so logical it's just easier.
That's why I shut the hell up. :)
Mosix? I suppose it's no surprise that I haven't heard of it. Been too busy the last year getting Windows crammed down my throat at school to look at anything more arcane than Slashdot headlines cover. If it's a kernel patch mod, I could probably do that quite easily. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll probably just take the systems I can allocate (Between 12-30) and try both methods.
Nice to know I can set up a Windows 2000, Linux, -and- Windows 98 network in a few hours. :) Now if only my video card was supported by QNX...
I can accept that. See, I'm looking for excuses to do it, rather than doing it for a pre-existing task. Just knowing I can walk into my workroom/office at school, point to a stack of Dell OptiPlex XL-5100s and say "This is my cluster, there are many others like it, but this one is mine." is really the point. If running a web server isn't optimal, is it -possible-? If it's not possible, okay. Is there a Beowulf SETI@Home client yet?
So, mods, this is a troll, right? Okay. Just so we're clear. :)
8 Posts, 0 Karma. Keepin' the Faith.
Join the club. But don't kill yourself, idjit, go back to school. I did.
Usefulness isn't so much a consideration with this, as amusement. Plus, odd as it may seem, the switches we've -got-, thanks to a huge infrastructure updating a year and a half ago. But that money didn't include clients, OR servers. Just network cabling and routing. Getting administration to get us any new desktop hardware would be like pulling teeth with tweezers.
Okay, I've had it. :) I can't even get in the first five posts without winding up non-moderated. :) So let's see, I'll stoop as low as to reply to myself and add more info. Probably get modded down, too.
I've got access to a decent Baystack switch, a few 10/100 ether cards, a dozen or so Pentium 100 machines, some CD-ROM drives and other assorted parts to make a cluster with. Now, I have to wonder as a total Beowulf newbie, will 32M of RAM, 1G of HD, and these CPU's actually be worth playing with as something like a web server? Currently this highly under-funded technical college where I work and attend, has a single P100 with 48M and Slackware handling everything web and DHCP related.
Now I can slap together a Beowulf cluster out of a few dozen P100s sitting around at the technical college where I work without having to watch my GPA hit the floor while I'm so distracted. :) Of course, this assumes I can scrounge up decent amounts of RAM... And that it'll work at all... And...
The pay's not as good, the benefits are stable, and you usually get a union of some kind for State or Federal employees anyhow. And it's REALLY hard to lose a government job when you're on full-time, thanks to the anti-PHB protections that the government has put in place.
Redmond? 'nuff said.
Historically, refusing to publish review/comment on things can be a pretty punishing retaliation tactic. Just look all the way back to the mega-media-mogul days of William Randolph Hearst and his complete refusal to allow any of the media under his control (An amount so obscene at the time that even AOL/TW pales in comparison)to publish any comment at all in regards to Citizen Kane. Watch 'RKO 281' sometime for further info.
I read the articles, was a bit worried after the specter of last year. Why? Well, granted it's a 10 cent increase, but last month I got screwed by putting off a RAM purchase just a week too damn long. I thought to myself ''Hey, next week I'll buy some RAM when I have some cash.'' and that was good. The following week rolled around, and wow, whee, yippee, RAM had gone up nearly fifty damn percent. I could no longer afford to buy any RAM.
Last month I said to myself ''Hey, this month I'll pick up a new harddrive for the game machine so I can drop my 8.4G into the Linux box. NEXT month, I'll get that 256M RAM upgrade I've been dreaming about.''
Next damn weekend. Saturday, I was going to place my order. But now THIS stuff happens and I wind up needing to get a loan from folks in order to get the RAM now instead of next weekend, when, despite what -really- happens with the market, it's pretty sure the prices will be somewhat higher than now.
Sigh. Sometimes I feel like I need to just sell the computers and start lumberjacking.
The fresh air, the forests, the ability to scream at the top of my lungs and only tick off the deer.