begin oe_protect.scr
Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
> __/ [ Mark Kent ] on Thursday 01 February 2007 07:27 \__
>
>> begin oe_protect.scr
>> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>>> Open source talk to highlight tech show
>>>
>>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>>| Faigen is Novell's vice president and general manager for Linux,
>>>| which is an open source operating system. "Open source" is a
>>>| type of computer program where the code is open for all to see,
>>>| rewrite and improve upon. Open source programs, such as the
>>>| Web browser Firefox, are generally free to download, although
>>>| companies such as Novell charge a fee to provide support for
>>>| open source systems.
>>> `----
>>>
>>>
> http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/index.ssf?/base/business-4/1169826549220660.xml&coll=6
>>>
>>> More Linux in the mainstream. Let's just hope this don't deliver Microsoft
>>> IP pitch (fear uncertainty and doubt lies), which is something Novell is
>>> repeatedly being accused of.
>>>
>>
>> Perhaps Mr Faigen is hoping he can get a job at a pro-Open Source
>> company?
>
> Novell employees intend to make a living, but I suspect that VPs intend to
> make /money/. There's a lot of funny stuff going on behind the scenes (I
> mentioned yet another funny bonus/reward a couple of days ago... and I
> wasn't alone). Novell chose servitude for short-term gains. The effect on
> the Linux community as a whole is just details. Money first. Ethics are a
> secondary nice-to-have, even if stomping on devs whose work you built on is
> involved. Companies don't understand communities. In a sense, Red Hat is
> still okay. Look at the (relative) purity of Fedora... but it's no
> gNewSense, not even Debian.
>
It really does come down to concepts of cooperation versus bullying as
models for getting things done. Cooperation is phenomenally effective
if done well, but bullying will typically spoil cooperation, in that
there's always someone who'll steal your work, goods or property given
half a chance. If they're taking your goods from your house, perhaps
they'll go to jail. If they're stealing your code and they're a major
company, then probably nothing at all will happen. Some types of crime
are still considered acceptable, if you're rich enough. There are
plenty of other examples - look at how "drugs cartels" are handled when
compared with cigarette companies, say.
One of the most ironic 20th Century dichotomies has to be the push by
Western governments on drugs production in South America and the Middle
East, whilst selling cigarettes into those same regions. Why is it
okay for western governments to make money from tobacco, but not okay
for middle-eastern countries to make money from poppy-products?
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
QOTD:
"Who? Me? No, no, NO!! But I do sell rugs."
|
|
