(Disclaimer: Once upon a time I was a law student, before I saw the light, but I am still not a lawyer.)
However, I think I recall (aka I'm too lazy to do any research right now) a provision of the Sherman AntiTrust Act that stated that advocating a boycott of a competitor was considered an unfair business practice. I believe it is possible that Referee Magazine could use that clause (or even some case law out there) to go after eReferee.com for "allegedly" sponsoring a boycott.
The problem with that stance may be that the two are not competitors (may be irrelevant) and it sounds like eReferee has nothing to do with sponsoring this boycott. However, to flip it around again Referee Magazine could argue, and depending on the judge they get, that eReferee, by allowing a discussion of a boycott on their forums is in fact sponsoring the boycott implicitly.
I consider myself typically pro-union, and I have to agree with you here 100%. There are definitely cases where unions are very valuable and some cases where they simply don't belong.
I disagree.
I'm not quite so sure that the "commercial experimentation with Linux" is about to come to a close. In fact, I think we are going to see an explosion in a number of different areas.
I think we're going to see more companies using Linux in embedded technologies and appliance class devices.
More open advocacy of Linux solutions from Professional Services companies
I even believe that we are going to see companies whose primary concern is in hardware (like IBM) embrace Linux in an effort to shift the "power" away from software companies (MS)and to put the ball back in the court of the hardware vendors. I even think that Sun will get its head out of its ass and join the movement.
However, I will concede that I'm certainly not an expert and I could be completely off base.
I agree it is simply a case of "Market Darwinism". The strong survive and the weak either evolve or are eliminated. I hope this is simply a case of evolution.
As for the layoffs, they are a rough thing to go through, fortunately the labor market is still in pretty good shape. Hopefully, these people will find work elsewhere without too much disruption in their lives.
The point he's trying to rebut is that an earlier poster kind of generalized that this game company should suceed because their business model is based on the open source development model.
The problem with that premise is that just because a company deals in open source software doesn't mean that they will automatically become successful.
The risk of prosecution will not deter very many people.
The only solution is to implement a mechanism for verifying the integrity of each and every client at connection. They will probably have to release "approved binaries" periodically and have a crypto checksum to verify that the client has not been "illegally" modified. I'm certainly not an expert in these matters, but I can imagine this being one of the most difficult aspects of the project.
As much as I would like to see this succeed, I'm not so certain people will flock to either.
I think in order for this venture to succeed they're going to have to make some serious headway in a very short period of time. The gaming market is fickle and a genre can fall out of favor in an instant. The online RPG market could evaporate just as the game starts to get good.
Another thing that might scare people away is the fact that it is GPL'ed. The fear of cheaters is definitely going to keep some people away. The game's security model and good user education may alleviate this factor, but it definitely will not prevent it entirely.
Anyways, I'll definitely give it a look see and I hope so do a lot of people, but I can't help being a little pessimistic.
For one, the guys at Ximian have now replaced a highly visible proprietary piece of software with an open one. Secondly, the direction of GNOME is controlled by the GNOME Foundation, a group comprised of Sun, IBM, HP, Red Hat, VA Linux, Ximian, and many others. This makes it nearly impossible for one or even two corporations to try and hijack GNOME. Furthermore, the software you use will never be completely free of large corporations, Sun, IBM, HP, AT&T, Compaq, and Nortel Networks are just a few of the companies that contribute numerous resources to open source projects.
You make it sound like Mozilla was successful and then Netscape stepped in and messed it all up. The truth is it was messed up from the start because Netscape started it off that way. In this case GNOME is already a successful project and it would take a serious effort by more than just one corporation to derail their momentum.
Or writing code, an email. How do you start a CAD program, hit the special T-square button on the keyboard.
The concept seems pretty ludicrous to me. I agree that OS should be as simple as possible. It should mask most of what it is doing, yet it should have the ability to allow the user to get under the hood and provide a _basic_ loosely defined common interface for application developers.
You fail to comprehend the magnitude of this new paradigm in computing.
The servers you speak of are actually "slightlly thicker clients" connected to "almost fat clients" connected to "so close to servers that you can't really tell the difference clients" connected to Bill G's personal desktop. Think Amway and you're almost there.
But the interface on the browsers are nearly identical, which is a good thing because some of those pages out there are so damn bad you need to escape them quickly.
It's the basic interface of the browsers that makes the web navigable. [not sure if that's a word, but then again I don't care.]
That's why you start sending emails to them and Loki. If they get enough requests and they'll do it. It's not necessarily their fault they don't have any skilled Linux programmers.
You have got to be kidding me! Just because he can't read French. Talk about insensitive and intolerant, not everyone in this world can be blessed with having a culturally diverse upbringing. In fact, very few people have that luxury. To label those people as intolerant, insensitive, and culturally illiterate simply highlights your own bigotry and ignorance.
You are an idiot!
Vous etes idiot
Usted es un idiota
Sao idiota
My best friend and I are making our own Linux home entertainment system. So far we are progressing nicely, in fact it isn't quite as difficult as we originally thought.
Right now, we have a marginally stable...
DVD Player
TV Tuner
MP3 Ripper/Player
CD Player
And we hope to get...
video capture and playback
infrared receiver for standard remote control
This is a good point. I'll admit the statement on its own is pretty foolish, but at the same time there is some truth to it. In every revolution there are a number of people who are involved from the very beginning, but its usually those who jump in at the right time and push it over the top that get the credit. Just look at any other revolution. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams are usually the most famous names recounted in the American Revolution, but how often are Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, or even Crispus Attucks given due credit for their role.
I know I'll probably get roasted, but without Red Hat, the Open Source Revolution would not be where it is today.
(This of course does not mean that I think Tiemann's comment was a fair statement to make. A little more humility next time would be wise.)
The only problem for some of them is, that some of their competitors (Sony) are also represented in RIAA. It's hard, when you're Onkyo to thumb your nose at RIAA when you have to compete with a competitor who is also a member of RIAA.
Slashdot Mirror
I'm surprised they didn't reject your request. Everyone knows that Open Source (namely Linux) at least in the eyes of Microsoft is un-american.
You need to get an interview at MS and where those sneakers.
(Disclaimer: Once upon a time I was a law student, before I saw the light, but I am still not a lawyer.)
:)
However, I think I recall (aka I'm too lazy to do any research right now) a provision of the Sherman AntiTrust Act that stated that advocating a boycott of a competitor was considered an unfair business practice. I believe it is possible that Referee Magazine could use that clause (or even some case law out there) to go after eReferee.com for "allegedly" sponsoring a boycott.
The problem with that stance may be that the two are not competitors (may be irrelevant) and it sounds like eReferee has nothing to do with sponsoring this boycott. However, to flip it around again Referee Magazine could argue, and depending on the judge they get, that eReferee, by allowing a discussion of a boycott on their forums is in fact sponsoring the boycott implicitly.
Or I could be talking out my ass.
I consider myself typically pro-union, and I have to agree with you here 100%. There are definitely cases where unions are very valuable and some cases where they simply don't belong.
I'm not quite so sure that the "commercial experimentation with Linux" is about to come to a close. In fact, I think we are going to see an explosion in a number of different areas.
I think we're going to see more companies using Linux in embedded technologies and appliance class devices.
More open advocacy of Linux solutions from Professional Services companies
I even believe that we are going to see companies whose primary concern is in hardware (like IBM) embrace Linux in an effort to shift the "power" away from software companies (MS)and to put the ball back in the court of the hardware vendors. I even think that Sun will get its head out of its ass and join the movement.
However, I will concede that I'm certainly not an expert and I could be completely off base.
I agree it is simply a case of "Market Darwinism". The strong survive and the weak either evolve or are eliminated. I hope this is simply a case of evolution.
As for the layoffs, they are a rough thing to go through, fortunately the labor market is still in pretty good shape. Hopefully, these people will find work elsewhere without too much disruption in their lives.
Good luck to all involved.
The point he's trying to rebut is that an earlier poster kind of generalized that this game company should suceed because their business model is based on the open source development model.
The problem with that premise is that just because a company deals in open source software doesn't mean that they will automatically become successful.
The risk of prosecution will not deter very many people.
The only solution is to implement a mechanism for verifying the integrity of each and every client at connection. They will probably have to release "approved binaries" periodically and have a crypto checksum to verify that the client has not been "illegally" modified. I'm certainly not an expert in these matters, but I can imagine this being one of the most difficult aspects of the project.
As much as I would like to see this succeed, I'm not so certain people will flock to either.
I think in order for this venture to succeed they're going to have to make some serious headway in a very short period of time. The gaming market is fickle and a genre can fall out of favor in an instant. The online RPG market could evaporate just as the game starts to get good.
Another thing that might scare people away is the fact that it is GPL'ed. The fear of cheaters is definitely going to keep some people away. The game's security model and good user education may alleviate this factor, but it definitely will not prevent it entirely.
Anyways, I'll definitely give it a look see and I hope so do a lot of people, but I can't help being a little pessimistic.
So when did Salon get into predictions?
Seriously, I bet Mr. Dewey is rolling in his grave.
This is a _very_ good thing!
For one, the guys at Ximian have now replaced a highly visible proprietary piece of software with an open one. Secondly, the direction of GNOME is controlled by the GNOME Foundation, a group comprised of Sun, IBM, HP, Red Hat, VA Linux, Ximian, and many others. This makes it nearly impossible for one or even two corporations to try and hijack GNOME. Furthermore, the software you use will never be completely free of large corporations, Sun, IBM, HP, AT&T, Compaq, and Nortel Networks are just a few of the companies that contribute numerous resources to open source projects.
You make it sound like Mozilla was successful and then Netscape stepped in and messed it all up. The truth is it was messed up from the start because Netscape started it off that way. In this case GNOME is already a successful project and it would take a serious effort by more than just one corporation to derail their momentum.
Or writing code, an email. How do you start a CAD program, hit the special T-square button on the keyboard.
The concept seems pretty ludicrous to me. I agree that OS should be as simple as possible. It should mask most of what it is doing, yet it should have the ability to allow the user to get under the hood and provide a _basic_ loosely defined common interface for application developers.
You fail to comprehend the magnitude of this new paradigm in computing.
The servers you speak of are actually "slightlly thicker clients" connected to "almost fat clients" connected to "so close to servers that you can't really tell the difference clients" connected to Bill G's personal desktop. Think Amway and you're almost there.
But the interface on the browsers are nearly identical, which is a good thing because some of those pages out there are so damn bad you need to escape them quickly.
It's the basic interface of the browsers that makes the web navigable. [not sure if that's a word, but then again I don't care.]
Thank you, now I feel real old. :(
:)
I might have to adopt your tactic though, so my wife doesn't catch me.
That's why you start sending emails to them and Loki. If they get enough requests and they'll do it. It's not necessarily their fault they don't have any skilled Linux programmers.
You have got to be kidding me! Just because he can't read French. Talk about insensitive and intolerant, not everyone in this world can be blessed with having a culturally diverse upbringing. In fact, very few people have that luxury. To label those people as intolerant, insensitive, and culturally illiterate simply highlights your own bigotry and ignorance.
You are an idiot!
Vous etes idiot
Usted es un idiota
Sao idiota
Sorry, I don't type with an accent.
Good luck, I don't suspect that Sony would be very supportive, and I bet the hardware is proprietary as hell.
Right now, we have a marginally stable...
And we hope to get... Try these links for...
Linux support for the Creative Dxr DVD Decoder and drive. http://opensource.creative.com
Linux and infrared remote control http://www.lirc.org/
Linux and the ATI all in Wonder cards http://www.linuxvideo.org/gatos/
Here are some reasons I would like to see Linux "gain a substantial foothold on the desktop"©
- I'd like to get my mother running Linux so that it doesn't break every couple of weeks and I have to fix it, and if it does break it's generally easier to fix©
- I'd like to see better interoperability between computer systems© An explosion in Linux on the desktop would require more companies ¥namely MS to focus on "real" standards and not making everything proprietary©
- I would like to see Open Source become the preferred methodology in software distribution and development©
- Better acceptance on the desktop leads to better acceptance in the boardroom©
I could go on for hours as to why its a good thing, but I think you get the point©
I feel the same way, but this has a place©
In a perfect world, a splash screen would be on the primary console and bootup on the second© Ninety percent of the time, I don't even look at the bootup messages and that's because I rarely have a problem© However, if I've made some changes, to the machine and suspect that it might act up, I could alt-F2 to the bootup console and see if I can spot the problem© Its the best of both worlds and another win for Linux©
One of Linux's greatest strengths is that it can be whatever you want it to be from a firewall to a web server to a desktop© Anything that makes it better in a given area without sacrificing another is always a good thing©
I'm sorry man, but this isn't funny at all© I have friends that work at there© Seven people died!
Besides, if you think its so damn funny why post anonymously?
It's also not uncommon for people who have threatened to leave and been extended counteroffers to be the first ones laid off, fired, or passed over for promotion©
Not if they're clever and know that most /©'ers are very good at smelling a rat©
This is a good point. I'll admit the statement on its own is pretty foolish, but at the same time there is some truth to it. In every revolution there are a number of people who are involved from the very beginning, but its usually those who jump in at the right time and push it over the top that get the credit. Just look at any other revolution. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams are usually the most famous names recounted in the American Revolution, but how often are Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, or even Crispus Attucks given due credit for their role.
I know I'll probably get roasted, but without Red Hat, the Open Source Revolution would not be where it is today.
(This of course does not mean that I think Tiemann's comment was a fair statement to make. A little more humility next time would be wise.)
Amen!
The only problem for some of them is, that some of their competitors (Sony) are also represented in RIAA. It's hard, when you're Onkyo to thumb your nose at RIAA when you have to compete with a competitor who is also a member of RIAA.