Immediately one would panic thinking Microsoft will try to trademark the term, but guess what:
1. Microsoft has already much overused similar terms like "open API" and "open interface" throughout their literature and it has not been a problem of being confused with Open Source.
2. Microsoft, for the time being, seems to frown on Open Source and would rather not have their products be misconstrued as Open Source -- at least until their PR people wake up and realize that Open Source is a good term to be associated with, then you will see Microsoft using the words "Open Source" on all packaging and product literature.
3. Microsoft could care less who owns the legal trademark on any word or phrase -- if they want to use the term Open Source they will anyway and anyday -- what are you going to do about it? Sue them? Take them to court? If the DOJ can't stop Microsoft from doing whatever it feels like then who can?
Yes, Robin Miller (who sent the article to LinuxToday) is also a columnist for AndoverNews but he didn't write this column.
Robin does not have an @andovernews email address -- his @home address is his only actual email address (that I know of).
A tactic to boost readership??? I'm sure Robin was hoping to draw some attention/discussion to Jack's Linux rantings but unfortunately he picked the wrong column to draw attention to!
The Slashdot effect is one thing, but the angry Slashdot effect is not something to be desired.
Full Dislosure: I work for AndoverNews as a Sys Admin, I don't know Jack personally, but as far as columnists go, I'm glad we have him.
In defense of Jack Bryar, his usual columns are very well written and well researched historical perspectives and in-depth investigative notes on the tech industry.
This week's column I can't agree with.
I just had to get this word in before the usual zealots sound off the usual accusations that any writer who questions the profitability of a Linux company is being paid by Microsoft to make such remarks. Please.
I'm not sure, but I think the crucial difference is whether it is true one-to-many IP multicasting or is it pseudo-multicasting: ie. a series of one-to-one connections transmitting the same data.
This review suggests that NT kernel is currently not capable of doing true IP-multicasting.
today announced the completion of a set of strategic technology and licensing agreements that will be the foundation for a long-term alliance between the two companies.
Translation: Microsoft just bought control over Inprise without actually owning it.
Key components of the arrangement include Inprise's commitment to do the following:
Translation: This how Microsoft plans to remove the competitive edge from Borland C++:
Microsoft also paid Inprise $100 million for the rights to use Inprise-patented technology in Microsoft products and to settle a number of long-standing patent and technology licensing issues.
Translation: Yeah so we ripped you off and stole your top employees. Water under the bridge. Here's some money. Now tell your lawyers to take a hike.
"Microsoft is pleased to enter into this alliance with Inprise", said Paul Maritz,
Kind of creepy how a huge corporation is described as feeling "pleased" by this arrangement. "Microsoft is pleased by your obedience. There will no swarms of locusts devouring your crops this year. All hail Mircosoft!"
About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software...
....oh please. We all know who the hell Microsoft is!!!
...and lastly note the lengthy disclaimer at the foot of the page makes no promises about "Inprise's future financial performance"...and if history is any indication we know where they're heading.
I commend this review for at least getting these things right for once:
1. Comparing Linux kernel features to NT kernel features instead of doing another "Linux/Apache vs. NT/IIS" snow job.
2. Pointing out that the Linux installation process depends on the distribution you use, and yes, the two remaining daunting areas for newbies in each installer is disk partioning and the video card and monitor settings for X.
3. Nice explanantions of why new features such as IP multicast and frame buffers console are important.
4. Pointing out the areas where NT will be playing catch-up with Linux such as supporting Merced.
Aside from a few accuracy flaws, it looks like ZD finally hired a reviewer who actually has a clue about "this crazy Linux thing all the kids are talking about."
...and what if you post a URL to a sweet-and-innocent web page and then overnight the webmaster changes his site and posts "defamatory" material?
We may also be liable if a link is provided to defamatory material held on another server. For the time being, therefore, we must treat the posting of a link in the same way as the posting of the original material.
...but it sounds like they (Demon) are being reasonable about it until they're lawyers can draw up a sensible policy.
Notice that goal #4 of this project as stated in the FAQ is to "improve PerlScript performance under IIS" -- I think someone at Micros~1 realized that beating Apache/mod_perl in the perl scripting department would be a bid win for them.
I'd have to admit it is a noble cause, but it will take more than that to convince me to run NT web servers instead of UNIX.
Bear in mind that PERL is not as vulnerable to Micros~1 "embrace and extend" game as Java is because Perl has only around 300 native functions where Java has around 5000 native functions -- meaning there is less under the hood for Micros~1 to mess around with. Also Perl is less GUI dependent (in fact it is GUI independant) than Java which makes it much harder to break than Java. And let's not forget that Perl is Open Source and Java is not (so far).
When Microsoft corrupted Java all they had to do was change the behavior and calling conventions of just a handful of functions and "Voila! It's now incompatible!" -- with Perl that trick is not so easy. If you consider Perl's "API" to be CPAN, well it is almost impossible for Micrsoft to mess with CPAN since each module is under the control of each author.
So overall I'm not worried. In fact maybe I would still use Windows if Micros~1 had released a "Visual Perl" package -- especially if they would release a "lite" Visual Perl package for free maybe I would consider using Windows -- no, just kidding -- I won't be using Windows any time soon!
As a perl programmer I sense that this will do us more good than harm. I have faith that Perl is strong enough to withstand any "contributions" from Micros~1.
All I want is a web browser that can surf the web and handle DHTML, Java, etc -- and guess what? Netscape works just fine, thankyouverymuch. I also use Netscape for email and very happy with it. So why should I bother switching to something bloated and buggier? Especially if it means you are implicitely supporting Microsoft's efforts to force new "standards" on everyone.
By installing Microsoft software in Linux you are feeding the beast -- don't do it. If you want a new browser then support Mozilla.
A DOD spokesman has publicly stated that as soon as their sys admins are tired of playing Quake, they fully intend to install tcp_wrapper on most of their systems, just as soon as they're done sorting their bookmarks and reading Slashdot they promised they would get right on it and install that wrapper any day now, and if they can have Friday off, they may even upgrade and patch the old buggy daemons they left running, but as one DOD sys admin stated "Phf! That's not my job!" then he quickly returned his attentions to a heated Phantom Menace debate on "Ain't It Coll News."
I am also peeved at domain squatters -- I've had many a good idea for a web site and jumped into whois to check the domain name and lo' and behold some "Domains For Sale" jack off is squatting on it!!
...this is because anyone can squat on a domain name for 6 months and not pay for it. When the 6 months is up, they let it go, then register it again under another name. They can squat on hundreds of names and their cost is almost nothing. They hold the names hostage until some poor dumbass coughs up thousands of dollars for it!
Solution:
Make registrants pay the two year fee *before* the domain is registered rather than giving them a 6 month free ride.
True, some slimes will still find it worth their while to squat on hot names and trademarks but the larger issue these scumbags who hold half of the dictionary of common words hostage would quickly find another scam business to get into.
MediaOne is the best internet ISP in the Boston area -- and the TV selection is OK. Simson Garfinkel yesterday had an article in Boston Globe which he says he compared MediaOne's speeds to Bell Atalantic's DSL service and MediaOne was ten fold faster.
The original test used quad-Xeon machines and I'm sorry but I think that's unrealistic -- how many shops use quad-Xeon-processor machines for web serving and file serving? I think dual-PII-processor is the more common workhorse in this industry, and I'm pretty confident Linux beats NT on dual-processor hardware.
They should be testing "typical" hardware platforms rather than using hardware so maxed-out that hardly anyone would own such a machine these days, or at least not for plain-ol' web serving -- database serving maybe but not for web serving and file serving -- that's ridiculous!
...and I think the whole point of Linux is you can run a pretty fast web server on *cheap* hardware so you really don't need quad-Xeon w/ 1 GB of RAM to serve some serious enterprise level web traffic anyway -- a plain ol' pentium box will work just fine.
He obviously attended the ZDFud school of "how to draw attention to your work by making asanine remarks about Linux."
Let me list some *real* ways to waste time:
1. Develop ActiveX controls
2. Write code in MFC
3. Use Visual J++
4. Install Windows NT with the intent on running an enterprise web site.
5. Pursue an MS certification course
6. Use Visual C++
....and many other ways to waste both valuable time and money can be yours for just $10,999.95! That's right just $10,999.95 and we'll send you all this plus the 5 piece stainless steak knife set!!!
It's really sad that big tech news sites with the biggest audiences have the least amount content in their news. The only "homework" they do is call someone on the phone and pester them for quotes that can be taken out of context. Some tech "journalists" will even call and try to put words in your mouth and simply ask you to simply confirm their brain-dead opinions -- I won't name names but I've have some firsthand experience in that area.
I like tech news stories where we can actually learn something.
I use Linux. I will continue to use Linux unless I find xBSD is better. I will not install Windows ever again. All the FUD and flaming in the world is not going to change my mind. Cry and whine all you want about Linux zealots beating you up. I don't care. I'm still using Linux.
Free software is not a new idea, but the big difference between then and now is a little something we call the Internet. Days of trading code on floppy disks are over. Now almost everyone has a computer with Internet access, thus anyone with coding talent can collaborate instantly on free software projects, and the "trend" is only growing.
Most teenages have only two questions about computers:
1. Where do I find dirty pictures?
2. How do I program this thing?
So you see, the artistic urge for people to create their own software for the sake of wanting their own software is not a pipe dream. It is real.
Again Microsoft does not realize the full impact of the Internet. They can't see the tidal wave that's about to drown them. Wake up and smell the Internet.
Not sure if it's the same person in regards to the localhost login attempt -- look at the timestamps -- it was four hours later than the activity from 209.190.67.111. Not sure what that means.
Anyway I would at least suggest setting your /etc/host.deny and/etc/hosts.allow to block access to ftp and telnet ports from all IP addresses (in hosts.deny) then list trusted IP addresses in hosts.allow.
Slashdot Mirror
Immediately one would panic thinking Microsoft
will try to trademark the term, but guess what:
1. Microsoft has already much overused similar
terms like "open API" and "open interface"
throughout their literature and it has not been
a problem of being confused with Open Source.
2. Microsoft, for the time being, seems to frown
on Open Source and would rather not have their
products be misconstrued as Open Source -- at
least until their PR people wake up and realize
that Open Source is a good term to be associated
with, then you will see Microsoft using the
words "Open Source" on all packaging and product
literature.
3. Microsoft could care less who owns
the legal trademark on any word or phrase
-- if they want to
use the term Open Source they will anyway and
anyday -- what are you going to do about it?
Sue them? Take them to court? If the DOJ can't
stop Microsoft from doing whatever it feels
like then who can?
Yes, Robin Miller (who sent the article
to LinuxToday) is also a columnist for
AndoverNews but he didn't write this column.
Robin does not have an @andovernews email
address -- his @home address is his only actual
email address (that I know of).
A tactic to boost readership??? I'm sure Robin
was hoping to draw some attention/discussion
to Jack's Linux rantings but unfortunately he
picked the wrong column to draw attention to!
The Slashdot effect is one thing, but the
angry Slashdot effect is not something to be
desired.
Maybe we need a disclaimer that our columnist's
opinions are not the opinions of everyone at
Andover.Net?
Believe me, we're big on Linux, sour on NT.
BTW: The DB backend of andovernews runs on
Windows NT -- and we hate it!
Full Dislosure: I work for AndoverNews as a Sys
Admin, I don't know Jack personally, but as far
as columnists go, I'm glad we have him.
In defense of Jack Bryar, his usual columns are
very well written and well researched historical
perspectives and in-depth investigative notes
on the tech industry.
This week's column I can't agree with.
I just had to get this word in before the
usual zealots sound off the usual accusations
that any writer who questions the profitability
of a Linux company is being paid by Microsoft
to make such remarks. Please.
People who user the Internet frequently:
People who do not use the Internet:
I'm not sure, but I think the crucial difference
is whether it is true one-to-many IP multicasting
or is it pseudo-multicasting: ie. a series of
one-to-one connections transmitting the same data.
This review suggests that NT kernel is currently not capable of doing true IP-multicasting.
Translation: Microsoft just bought control over Inprise without actually owning it.
Key components of the arrangement include Inprise's commitment to do the following:
Translation: This how Microsoft plans to remove the competitive edge from Borland C++:
Microsoft also paid Inprise $100 million for the rights to use Inprise-patented technology in Microsoft products and to settle a number of long-standing patent and technology licensing issues.
Translation: Yeah so we ripped you off and stole your top employees. Water under the bridge. Here's some money. Now tell your lawyers to take a hike.
"Microsoft is pleased to enter into this alliance with Inprise", said Paul Maritz,
Kind of creepy how a huge corporation is described as feeling "pleased" by this arrangement. "Microsoft is pleased by your obedience. There will no swarms of locusts devouring your crops this year. All hail Mircosoft!"
About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software...
I commend this review for at least getting
these things right for once:
1. Comparing Linux kernel features to NT kernel
features instead of doing another "Linux/Apache
vs. NT/IIS" snow job.
2. Pointing out that the Linux installation
process depends on the distribution you use,
and yes, the two remaining daunting areas
for newbies in each installer is disk partioning
and the video card and monitor settings for X.
3. Nice explanantions of why new features such
as IP multicast and frame buffers console are
important.
4. Pointing out the areas where NT will be playing
catch-up with Linux such as supporting Merced.
Aside from a few accuracy flaws, it looks like
ZD finally hired a reviewer who actually has a
clue about "this crazy Linux thing all the kids
are talking about."
We may also be liable if a link is provided to defamatory material held on another server. For the time being, therefore, we must treat the posting of a link in the same way as the posting of the original material.
Notice that goal #4 of this project as stated in
the FAQ is to "improve PerlScript performance
under IIS" -- I think someone at Micros~1
realized that beating Apache/mod_perl in the
perl scripting department would be a bid win
for them.
I'd have to admit it is a noble cause, but it
will take more than that to convince me to run
NT web servers instead of UNIX.
Bear in mind that PERL is not as vulnerable to
Micros~1 "embrace and extend" game as Java
is because Perl has only around 300 native
functions where Java has around 5000 native
functions -- meaning there is less under the hood
for Micros~1 to mess around with. Also Perl is
less GUI dependent (in fact it is GUI independant)
than Java which makes it much harder to break than
Java. And let's not forget that Perl is Open
Source and Java is not (so far).
When Microsoft corrupted Java all they had to do
was change the behavior and calling conventions
of just a handful of functions and "Voila! It's
now incompatible!" -- with Perl that trick is
not so easy. If you consider Perl's "API" to be
CPAN, well it is almost impossible for Micrsoft
to mess with CPAN since each module is under the
control of each author.
So overall I'm not worried. In fact maybe I would
still use Windows if Micros~1 had released a
"Visual Perl" package -- especially if they
would release a "lite" Visual Perl package for
free maybe I would consider using Windows -- no,
just kidding -- I won't be using Windows any time
soon!
As a perl programmer I sense that this will do us
more good than harm. I have faith that Perl is
strong enough to withstand any "contributions"
from Micros~1.
All I want is a web browser that can surf the
web and handle DHTML, Java, etc -- and guess
what? Netscape works just fine, thankyouverymuch.
I also use Netscape for email and very happy
with it. So why should I bother switching to
something bloated and buggier? Especially if it
means you are implicitely supporting Microsoft's
efforts to force new "standards" on everyone.
By installing Microsoft software in Linux you
are feeding the beast -- don't do it. If you
want a new browser then support Mozilla.
Translation:
A DOD spokesman has publicly stated that as soon as
their sys admins are tired of playing Quake, they
fully intend to install tcp_wrapper on most of
their systems, just as soon as they're done
sorting their bookmarks and reading Slashdot
they promised they would get right on it and
install that wrapper any day now, and if they
can have Friday off, they may even upgrade and patch
the old buggy daemons they left running, but
as one DOD sys admin stated "Phf! That's not my job!"
then he quickly returned his attentions to a
heated Phantom Menace debate on "Ain't It Coll News."
Try searching for "shareware" and check out the
results -- seems they don't discourage keyword
spammers!
I am also peeved at domain squatters -- I've had
many a good idea for a web site and jumped into
whois to check the domain name and lo' and behold
some "Domains For Sale" jack off is squatting on
it!!
...this is because anyone can squat on a domain
name for 6 months and not pay for it. When the 6
months is up, they let it go, then register it
again under another name. They can squat on
hundreds of names and their cost is almost
nothing. They hold the names hostage until some
poor dumbass coughs up thousands of dollars for
it!
Solution:
Make registrants pay the two year fee *before*
the domain is registered rather than giving
them a 6 month free ride.
True, some slimes will still find it worth their
while to squat on hot names and trademarks but
the larger issue these scumbags who hold half
of the dictionary of common words hostage would
quickly find another scam business to get into.
MediaOne is the best internet ISP in the Boston
area -- and the TV selection is OK. Simson
Garfinkel yesterday had an article in Boston
Globe which he says he compared MediaOne's speeds
to Bell Atalantic's DSL service and MediaOne was
ten fold faster.
Seems h2g2.com does not have a DNS entry, or has
spearead around the net yet.
The original test used quad-Xeon machines and I'm
sorry but I think that's unrealistic -- how many
shops use quad-Xeon-processor machines for web serving
and file serving? I think dual-PII-processor is the
more common workhorse in this industry, and I'm
pretty confident Linux beats NT on dual-processor
hardware.
They should be testing "typical" hardware
platforms rather than using hardware so maxed-out
that hardly anyone would own such a machine
these days, or at least not for plain-ol'
web serving -- database serving maybe but not
for web serving and file serving -- that's
ridiculous!
...and I think the whole point of Linux is you
can run a pretty fast web server on *cheap*
hardware so you really don't need quad-Xeon
w/ 1 GB of RAM to serve some serious enterprise
level web traffic anyway -- a plain ol' pentium box
will work just fine.
He obviously attended the ZDFud school of
"how to draw attention to your work
by making asanine remarks about Linux."
Let me list some *real* ways to waste time:
1. Develop ActiveX controls
2. Write code in MFC
3. Use Visual J++
4. Install Windows NT with the intent on running
an enterprise web site.
5. Pursue an MS certification course
6. Use Visual C++
....and many other ways to waste both valuable time
and money can be yours for just $10,999.95! That's
right just $10,999.95 and we'll send you all
this plus the 5 piece stainless steak knife set!!!
...just like Netscape's pure-java browser. Another
fine vaporous concept to occupy the time of a
select group of middle managers.
AOL is not going to seriously consider bucking
an operating system that has 90% of the desktop
market by the short and curlys.
It's really sad that big tech news sites with
the biggest audiences have the least amount
content in their news. The only "homework" they
do is call someone on the phone and pester them
for quotes that can be taken out of context. Some
tech "journalists" will even call and try to put
words in your mouth and simply ask you to simply
confirm their brain-dead opinions -- I won't name
names but I've have some firsthand experience in
that area.
I like tech news stories where we can actually
learn something.
print
I am offended by your use of the f-word on this
page. I'm calling the DA's office right now.
SCARCASM
I use Linux. I will continue to use Linux unless
I find xBSD is better. I will not install Windows
ever again. All the FUD and flaming in the world
is not going to change my mind. Cry and whine all
you want about Linux zealots beating you up. I
don't care. I'm still using Linux.
Free software is not a new idea, but the big
difference between then and now is a little
something we call the Internet. Days of trading
code on floppy disks are over. Now almost everyone
has a computer with Internet access, thus anyone
with coding talent can collaborate instantly on
free software projects, and the "trend" is only
growing.
Most teenages have only two questions about computers:
1. Where do I find dirty pictures?
2. How do I program this thing?
So you see, the artistic urge for people to create
their own software for the sake of wanting their
own software is not a pipe dream. It is real.
Again Microsoft does not realize the full impact
of the Internet. They can't see the tidal wave
that's about to drown them. Wake up and smell the
Internet.
Not sure if it's the same person in regards to
/etc/hosts.allow to block
the localhost login attempt -- look at the
timestamps -- it was four hours later than the
activity from 209.190.67.111. Not sure what that
means.
Anyway I would at least suggest setting your
/etc/host.deny and
access to ftp and telnet ports from all IP
addresses (in hosts.deny) then list trusted IP
addresses in hosts.allow.