Linux Foundation's first commandment: respect Microsoft
Submitted by libervisco on Thu, 2007-08-16 23:59.
gnu linux linux foundation microsoft
In an interesting take on recent announcement coming from the Linux Foundation, Sam Varghese writes:
"On April 1 this year, I wrote a spoof headlined "Ballmer joins Linux Foundation board." Considering the statements that were reported last week as emanating from the executive director of the same foundation, Jim Zemlin, I wonder if my tale will still be considered a spoof after a few years."
"Judging from the CV available on the Linux Foundation website, Zemlin, clearly, has had no touch with open source apart from various marketing roles. It is claimed that he is "widely quoted in the press on open source and commercial software trends..."" -- Read more
All this considered the credibility and real benefits of the Linux Foundation to the Free Software movement seem very doubtful. Besides, is "Open Source" really a movement anymore or just a trend adopted mainly by corporate marketeers like Jim Zemlin who apparently lack understanding of both where "Open Source" came from and what it really is?
Is this even worth writing
Submitted by tbuitenh on Fri, 2007-08-17 18:30.
Is this even worth writing about?
"I see dumb people. They are everywhere and they don't even know they are dumb."
The problem is when people
Submitted by libervisco on Sat, 2007-08-18 01:09.
The problem is when people perceive those dumb leaders as speaking in their name and for their interests. It carries a "Linux" name after all, it must be "Linux" friendly.
MS must know that in the
Submitted by democrates on Mon, 2007-08-20 14:10.
MS must know that in the long term the SWPAT FUD, X-Licensing deals, and Mars Attacks bouts of "We are your friends" give short to medium term results only. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Ultimately the Free Software core is robust and will continue to grow. What makes the core secure is freedom. Like democracy, it's an idea that will not die.
An outer ring is populated with the vaguely interested, uninformed, misinformed, moderates (in denial), apologists, the selfish, and outright charlatans. It has no solidity and is prone to wax and wane with a little external inducement.
People using free software for practical benefits or nebulous ephemera are easily bought off, but people using it because they value freedom are less likely to sell out. Freedom tends to be won and protected by those who value it.
These attacks on freedom are good for the core because they show the core boundary in sharper relief and clarify the areas in which the core needs to step up. The thread on the need for a free software business network is a prime example of the reaction.
As for the Linux Foundation, the earthquake of Microsofts attacks reveal a shaky foundation. Like a scene from Animal Farm some pigs are walking on their hind legs, and asking us to respect the very entity that is engaged in an all out dirty war against freedom. No. I disrespect Microsoft for what they have done and are doing, it's not right. Don't underestimate them is a different call, and give no quarter, the appropriate response.
Another commentary on this:
Another commentary on this: Microsoft Must Earn Respect of FOSS Community