__/ [ Mathew P. ] on Saturday 06 May 2006 09:12 \__
> On 2006-05-06, Roy Schestowitz spake thusly:
>> Open Source: Who Takes But Doesn't Give Back?
>>
>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>| InformationWeek is trying to find out who the volunteer open-source
>>| code contributors are. Who are the people--in addition to Linux's
>>| kernel originator, Linus Torvalds--who program into the night and
>>| donate the results to an ongoing, software building project. Whoever
>>| they are, they're changing the landscape for business.
>> `----
>>
>>
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2006/05/open_source_who.html
>
> So they are perfectly willing to enjoy the benefits of the GPL, but refuse
> to contribute on old "intellectual property" fallback? I hate to use
> the term, but hypocrite comes to mind.
May I suggest the term "capitalisation"? Companies that build powerful
software, standing on the shoulders of giants, fear the release of their
business 'recipes' that put them in a position of advantage. Google is one
example that comes to mind and I still think they ought to contribute
_MORE_ to the Open Source community. I don't expect them to GPL their
algorithms (that will be absurd for a brand that was IPO'd). I do,
however, think that they should realise that Linux on the desktop is their
friend. Windows Vista is intended to fight Google very viciously, so long
as the courts don't crucify it (the hum has reached the US Feds and the EU
already).
Best wishes,
Roy
--
Roy S. Schestowitz | Roughly 2% of your keyboard is O/S-specific
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