A package management system used only by one or a very narrow set of distributions could very well be called proprietary even if it would be free software.
You could very well call a car aeroplane, but that wouldn't fly either.
If you want, you can use, copy, redistribute any Linux package management system I know of, as you see fit. Even if only one distribution would use it. As long as it is GPL'd.
Now 'proprietary' means that some controling party (let's call them the proprietor) can suddenly revoke your license to use it, to redistribute it, to use it in another distribution or for an 'unintended purpose'.
Free software ('Libre', in an FSF and OSI sense) can never be closed source or proprietary. Proprietary software can never be open source according to the original concept and Bruce Perens
I think we reached to a point that standardization is needed to make things seamless as possible when installing or adding codecs to any flavor of Linux.
This is something Mac OS-X and Windows excel at.
Not quite. In the Windows world, some codecs are installed by default (which is very easy from a user's perspective) and some need to be installed by the user from a 3rd party CD or download with [sarcasm]High Quality[/sarcasm] drivers/codecs/shittyware.
Apart from legal issues (patents, DeCSS,...) this is something that works extremely well in Ubuntu. It just prompts you to install what you need...
On the other issue: I would gladly pay for Ubuntu, it represents value for me. So does OSX, but to a lesser extent. MS or a customer has to pay me if they want me to use any Windows. Customers do that, MS doesn't.
MS forces me to pay them whenever I buy a laptop, and then I remove their monopolyware as soon as possible.
If evolution fashioned us in such a way as to still feel the drive to be swinging from the trees, hurling our [feaces] at each other, does it follow that it's what we should be doing?
That's what we do here on/. but it is way better than throwing high explosives and depleted uranium at each other.
I would if the bicycle flew long distances safely at 100+ MPH.
I have one that can be dropped safely from 3000m and reaches speeds far in excess of what you need. Safety is guaranteed for 99.999% of the trajectory.
No, they don't, they install crapware, crackware, shareware, malware they download from not so trustworthy servers... Those who write their own programs or far more likely to choose an alternative OS
But I agree with the general idea of your post (CE != XP and would confuse lots of users)
Do not forget the House Committee on Un-American Activities. I find it horrible whenever I hear 'un-american' used in a discussion. As happened with the Dixie Chicks only a few years ago.
I've often seen customers shell out huge amounts of money just to have an 'Enterprise grade product' where something more 'handgun' like would almost be overkill. People fall too easily for the marketing arguments...
Apart frome the simple install, well thought out details (e.g. WiFi config, proprietary HW drivers, USB startup key creation feature), great documentation, the Debian package management (apt-get, synaptic), features, I've absolutely no idea.
Slashdot Mirror
You contradict yourself in the same sentence.
No, he didn't. The competition between resellers is removed. The competition with other products is not killed.
And the next step is to force resellers to accept more conditions. Of course, all this in the best interest of the consumer.
It seems equally absurd that MS can't influence the price between the store and end consumer.
Why should they be able to do that? Free market != Fixed market.
What if Don Corleone was the sole provider of wheat, influencing the price of bread to something very reasonable, let's say, $100?
A package management system used only by one or a very narrow set of distributions could very well be called proprietary even if it would be free software.
You could very well call a car aeroplane, but that wouldn't fly either.
If you want, you can use, copy, redistribute any Linux package management system I know of, as you see fit. Even if only one distribution would use it. As long as it is GPL'd.
Now 'proprietary' means that some controling party (let's call them the proprietor) can suddenly revoke your license to use it, to redistribute it, to use it in another distribution or for an 'unintended purpose'.
Free software ('Libre', in an FSF and OSI sense) can never be closed source or proprietary. Proprietary software can never be open source according to the original concept and Bruce Perens
Now, give the keyboard back to your son and let him continue to read /.
I can read German, but I don't type on a German (QWERTZU) keyboard. Thanks anyway, gracias, Danke schÃn.
Is it a decent Laptop?
Next time I might consider www.xxodd.nl
Yeah, but the B. Gates fanclub will not accept anything less than 'Internet Explorer (Microsoft Internet surfing replacement software)' menu entry.
OOo Calc to.
Dell+Linux is not available in Belgium.
Eeepc is not a laptop.
I think we reached to a point that standardization is needed to make things seamless as possible when installing or adding codecs to any flavor of Linux.
This is something Mac OS-X and Windows excel at.
Not quite. In the Windows world, some codecs are installed by default (which is very easy from a user's perspective) and some need to be installed by the user from a 3rd party CD or download with [sarcasm]High Quality[/sarcasm] drivers/codecs/shittyware.
Apart from legal issues (patents, DeCSS, ...) this is something that works extremely well in Ubuntu. It just prompts you to install what you need...
On the other issue: I would gladly pay for Ubuntu, it represents value for me. So does OSX, but to a lesser extent. MS or a customer has to pay me if they want me to use any Windows. Customers do that, MS doesn't.
MS forces me to pay them whenever I buy a laptop, and then I remove their monopolyware as soon as possible.
If evolution fashioned us in such a way as to still feel the drive to be swinging from the trees, hurling our [feaces] at each other, does it follow that it's what we should be doing?
That's what we do here on /. but it is way better than throwing high explosives and depleted uranium at each other.
I would if the bicycle flew long distances safely at 100+ MPH.
I have one that can be dropped safely from 3000m and reaches speeds far in excess of what you need. Safety is guaranteed for 99.999% of the trajectory.
Price negotiable.
[...]*install their own programs*[...]
No, they don't, they install crapware, crackware, shareware, malware they download from not so trustworthy servers... Those who write their own programs or far more likely to choose an alternative OS
But I agree with the general idea of your post (CE != XP and would confuse lots of users)
"People thought your body would fall apart at 50mph 100 years ago.."
People actually thought bodies fell apart at 50 mph?
No one recorded the observations of standing outside in 50mph winds? Or of someone in free fall from a great enough height?
And when they found the poor bastard, they unanimously concluded he had literally fallen apart.
Do not forget the House Committee on Un-American Activities. I find it horrible whenever I hear 'un-american' used in a discussion. As happened with the Dixie Chicks only a few years ago.
Care to back that up with concrete examples?
I've often seen customers shell out huge amounts of money just to have an 'Enterprise grade product' where something more 'handgun' like would almost be overkill. People fall too easily for the marketing arguments...
Windows Media, which shits all over
So, you're not a big fan either? Well said.
This paranoia about IBM is bizarre.
No, it isn't:
They concentrate a little too much ownership to be reassuring. What when policy changes suddenly? Killing of products etc?
Maybe?
Their, they're, I bet there going to not send you're per son over their
Pirates of the Caribbean: As Hell Freezes Over
you're in violation of rule 1
I think the prank is this hideous green/gray color scheme. Where is that pink one we're accustomed to and learned to love?
And why's it always Ubunto?
Apart frome the simple install, well thought out details (e.g. WiFi config, proprietary HW drivers, USB startup key creation feature), great documentation, the Debian package management (apt-get, synaptic), features, I've absolutely no idea.
Anyone who wants documents readable in 10 years?
I would rate you at +10 insightful if I could...
What fucking idiot politician thought this up?
They like pISSing contests. They reached boldly where nobody pissed before.