Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
> ____/ Kier on Thursday 06 September 2007 16:46 : \____
>
>> On Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:42:07 +0100, Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>
>>> ____/ Kier on Thursday 06 September 2007 11:20 : \____
>>>
>>>> On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:37:30 +0100, Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> ____/ Kier on Wednesday 05 September 2007 10:52 : \____
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:02:14 +0100, Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ____/ [H]omer on Tuesday 04 September 2007 22:17 : \____
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Verily I say unto thee, that Geico Caveman spake thusly:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Only a moron would bet his company's life on Mono. Its very likely
>>>>>>>>> patent encumbered (that is probably the idea behind Microsoft
>>>>>>>>> tolerating/encouraging its use anyways - compromise the legal
>>>>>>>>> standing of systems while making it indispensable, and then milk them
>>>>>>>>> for whatever it is worth - old, familiar modus operandi).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The infestation of GNU/Linux with Mono is an issue that is far more
>>>>>>>> serious than just patents. Do we really want to adopt Microsoft's
>>>>>>>> principles and methodologies? How convenient for Microsoft if we did.
>>>>>>>> Then, not only would they have easily verifiable grounds to claim
>>>>>>>> "infringement" in later years, but they'd also have perverted GNU/Linux
>>>>>>>> at the most fundamental level - at the source. How long before some of
>>>>>>>> those Windows-esque design flaws started to manifest in GNU/Linux, and
>>>>>>>> turn it into a bloated, bug-infested, encumbered, mess of Slopware?
>>>>>>>> It's the ultimate sabotage strategy - destroy thine enemy from within.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> And just to be clear, no I don't think Microsoft has any intention of
>>>>>>>> ever actually litigating. It's about control, and the power to extract
>>>>>>>> revenue - even from a competitor. They rattle their sabres and the
>>>>>>>> weak-minded cowards jump, sign papers, and give away their rights. As
>>>>>>>> far as Microsoft is concerned GNU/Linux is just another revenue stream,
>>>>>>>> ripe for exploitation. They wouldn't dare to damage that, but they'll
>>>>>>>> certainly crack the whip when their pet monkeys step out of line, just
>>>>>>>> like they do with their non-Linux partners.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Microsoft probably anticipates that particular revenue stream drying up
>>>>>>>> somewhere down the line, at which point they'll dump it like a sack of
>>>>>>>> rotten potatoes. Some of us in the community would like to rescue those
>>>>>>>> goods, /before/ they go rotten. Others, like Torvalds, seem naively
>>>>>>>> unconcerned, perhaps even disingenuously so.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I am surprised that you would be promoting its use in *any* way, Roy.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> AFAICT Roy is merely warning us of an increased rate of Mono adoption,
>>>>>>>> so we may be better prepared to defend against it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Anything with Miguel de Icaza's handprints on it should be avoided
>>>>>>>>> like plague. The man is not much more than a stool pigeon.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> De Icaza is one of the principle saboteurs. Our very own Judas.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> To paraphrase someone who put it nicely, de Icaza is an entrepreneur
>>>>>>> looking for an opportunity at Microsoft.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's a good thing he doesn't read this group, or he might consider suing
>>>>>> everyone who's defamed his character here. Perhaps some of you should
>>>>>> consider moderating your language.
>>>>>
>>>>> I did not use any improper language (maybe others did). BTW, de Icaza
>>>>> posted here some months ago.
>>>>
>>>> Calling him stool pgeon and judas hardly seems moderate. Why not email him
>>>> and ask him to post his views?
>>>
>>> Yes, I saw that and didn't like it either. Not *my* words.
>>>
>>>> A reputable magazine like Linux Format seems to have no problem with him.
>>>> Maybe that should tell you something.
>>>
>>> Magazines, like journalists, make no enemies. It's one of the reasons why
>>> today's press is in such a miserable state. I'm not the only one saying
>>> this.
>>
>> This is Linux Format we're talking about. The best and most widely read
>> Linux magazine. Just what are you implying?
>
> Linux Format would alienate many of its readers if it criticised certain people
> who earned an "idol" status. Earlier today I read something which put it very
> nicely. To extend on that point, de Icaza began with passion for Free software
> when he spoke to RMS and decided to create a truly free and open desktop (KDE
> didn't really have any issues). In recent years, however, with .NET and now
> the proprietary codecs (on a _Free_ desktop), he has gone too far. Need we
> even talk about his tight relationships with Microsoft and support for OOXML?
>
> You will actually find that many people are frustrated with him. Maybe they are
> not in COLA or maybe they are shy to be vocal about it. Many people just don't
> understand what is going on (patents, Novell, Part 25, etc).
>
Mr de Icaza's agenda has been fairly clear from the start. I believe
that he has always wanted to work for Microsoft anyway, and his present
position in Novell, pushing Microsoft proprietary capabilities into the
free software world is, at best, a very ambiguous position to be taking.
I think he would be better to look at truly open solutions, otherwise
there's a real danger that people like Ashley Highfield at the BBC will
start to claim that the Microsoft iPlayer will work on linux as soon as
Mono is good enough, or some other similar nonsense.
I'm not particularly anti compatibility layers, but I know that trying
to remain compatible with a system where one end of a link is in the
hands of an organisation whose modus operandum is centred on locking-in
customers is not a desirable or healthy position to be in. I know that
the Samba team have suffered all kinds of problems with this, too.
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
| Cola faq: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/linux/advocacy/faq-and-primer/ |
| Cola trolls: http://colatrolls.blogspot.com/ |
| My (new) blog: http://www.thereisnomagic.org |
|
|
