Posted on 10/10/2006 4:56:51 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
Linux or open source seems to thrive wherever Left governments rule. And as Kerala schools log Microsoft out and boot open source systems, Linux world is buzzing with excitement over possibilities in the communist-ruled states. Though West Bengal and Tripura have to go whole hog to adopt a free software model, ideological closeness is more than evident. Kerala, most insiders feel, is turning out to be Richard Stallman's happiest hunting ground. His personal vibes with Velikakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, even from VS's pre-chief minister era, are in play. Its a picture watching the duo cozying together in a similar attire Stallman in a crumbled white T-shirt and VS in homely sleeveless white banian. Secretly, people do wonder what Class VII drop-out Marxist patriarch chitchats with whiz-kid of the Red Hat business-model. However, those who attended a Stallman seminar on FOSS, could clearly see that Linux and Left are on the same wavelength.
(Excerpt) Read more at financialexpress.com ...
Because its such a silly link. Does this mean that me running Linux equates with espousing communism? Does this also means that the success of some open source software means communism can suceed?
These questions don't deserve to be answer for they are dumb.
Of course saying Communist countries - especially ones where there are export restrictions to, embracing a freely available technology that can be examined to see whether there are any "spy bugs" is natural. If you were leader of some country that feared bugs in closed source software shipped to your country - would you pick one you could verify was 'spy' free?
Indian English makes my hair bleed.
I ran across Linus in 90 or 91 and saw that what he was working on was very valuable. Suffice to say the Linux has been very very good to me.
I agree, it makes perfect sense for communist governments to use open source software, especially if they get the very latest versions of it from the U.S. completely for free. As the article says, they are so delighted, they want laws passed requiring it be used.
The question is, why do we allow them to do it? Why are there not export restrictions on this technology as well, as you seem to admit are natural on the products our companies wish to sell? It seems to me if we aren't willing to even sell them anything, giving them something completely free of charge would be an even larger mistake.
They get the latest not just from the US but from other countries as well. For example, OpenBSD is compiled in Canada.
The difference in Open Source is it isn't tied down to one company or country. Of course companies may help develop and support it - but the source is available for free and anyone can build the software.
But American companies and universities are the ones making the most significant improvements to the software, which is then put to use by communist nations or in the case of India their communist states.
It says in the article 1/3 of all Linux servers are used in supercomputers, such as the ones used to design and test nuclear weapons. You feel technology of that caliber should be given away for free to anyone who wants it?
Do you support giving communist armies free bread, like you support giving them free supercomputer software?
If it's your bread, then you get to do with it as you please. I'm not your mother. But getting back to the point, since Linux = Commie, because Commies use Linux, does bread = Commie because Commies eat bread? And have you ever eaten socialist bakery goods?
Oh... And just to be clear on this, is Linux American again? Or is it still Finnish? I can never tell which tune you're tweeting and I wouldn't want to make any brash assumptions.
It has already pushed several U.S. companies to the verge if not past the point of bankruptcy, such as Silicon Graphics, Santa Cruz Operation, and Cray. Let's hope it doesn't get any more valuable and destroy Sun and IBM too.
I wouldn't agree that it is purely an American thing where the innovations come from. Besides - the paradigm is different on open source.
Yes - I do feel technology of that caliber should be given away for free - that is the whole point of Open Source software. The actual software that is used to test the nuclear weapons is not, but the operating system is.
Why were they pushed to bankruptcy? Because Linux existed?
SCO?
LOL Good riddance.
That's not a company, it's a (shabby) lawsuit.
Well thanks for at least being honest. My opinion is that is completey senseless and shortsighted, to give communist governments free software capable of powering nuclear weapons design and test, but I guess we'll just have to disagree.
Well, its been awhile since I last installed Linux, but I didn't see the option for "Nuclear Testing and Design" software during the install. Things may have changed....
You're here again?
I'm sure this thread will turn into another 400 post butt-kicking FOR you.
He's referring to the thread that linked Bill Clinton to Ubuntu Linux, since he was afraid to link it here it is:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1710675/posts
You'll find the typical denials, distractions, and endless insults since he's incapable of actually discussing the facts.
"You'll find the typical denials, distractions, and endless insults..."
on all of Golden Eagle's posts.
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