It Official Linus stole Linux (Microsoft FUD)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/040514/234/71e7q.html ^ | 05/17/2004 | Yahoo

[N3WBI3]

Torvalds claim to "invent" Linux probably false, says new study

Fri May 14, 5:49 PM ET

Washington, DC (FeatureXpress) May 14, 2004 - Popular but controversial "open source" computer software, often contributed on a volunteer basis, is often taken or adapted without permission from material owned by other companies and individuals, a study by the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution finds. Among other points, the study directly challenges Linus Torvalds (news - web sites)' claim to be the inventor of Linux (news - web sites). In one of the few extensive studies on the source of open source code, Kenneth Brown, president of AdTI, traces the free software movement over three decades -- from its romantic but questionable beginnings, through its evolution to a commercial effort that draws on unpaid contributions from thousands of programmers. Brown's account is based on extensive interviews with more than two dozen leading technologists including Richard Stallman, Dennis Ritchie, and Andrew Tanenbaum.

[Havoc]

NT stole liberally from IBM's OS/2. And that is largely what it was crafted on. Whatever else they did to attempt to model other parts after VMS isn't surprising; but, I wouldn't say it's based on VMS.

[Bush2000]

Woodman, I'm not psychic; but, I am experienced with people who can't admit when they're wrong. I'm experienced with people who will lie boldly in the face of hard evidence showing them a liar.

Then unburden yourself: Confess.

[Bush2000]

So maybe we have a chicken/egg problem. Maybe MS isn't funding them to make them do favorable reports, but to keep alive an organization that already had a favorable viewpoint and ensure continuing favorable reports.

I await your proof.... *cricket* ... *cricket*... *cricket*...

[Bush2000]

See #132, you're making the wrong assumption as well...

I think you need to go back and read my posts. I specifically asked the usual trolls for proof that MS paid the guy who wrote this article. I haven't received a response. Except some lame-assed responder who tried to assert that Bill Gates == Microsoft.

[Bush2000]

N3WBI3: Why Bill gates was at their Million dollar round table! Personally he has given more than one million dollars.

Woodman: Wrong guys, that's the United WayNational Alexis de Tocqueville Society. From the Link: The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, initiated in March, 1984, is designed to deepen the understanding, commitment and support of individuals to United Ways and to recognize the deep commitment to service. Membership in the Society is granted to individuals who contribute at least $10,000 annually to the United Way which includes most major United Ways. Thank you to all of these individuals who have made such a difference in their local community! Once again more FUD on this thread that many are blind to. Look I'm disputing the fact that MS has contributed to the group, I just am disputing the Iron Clad Proof that they are an MS bought and paid for shill. Look up some news on them and look at what they do, they are heavily into IP protection since before it became an issue with the software industry I'm sure that they may have some common perspectives. I am not saying that they couldn't be biased, but you shouldn't believe everything you read on Wired or Slashdot any more than FR.

los·er n

a. One who loses.
b. N3WBI3.

[Dimensio]

Of course the commercial one is going to be cheaper in the long run as they did the legwork for you.

It's worse than that. It goes to the point of comparing Linux on a big mainframe rig vs. Windows 2003 Server on a dual-Xeon processor machine, and pointing out that you'll pay more in power costs on the mainframe.

[Havoc]

Ok, you're one of them LOL

[antiRepublicrat]

I await your proof.... *cricket* ... *cricket*... *cricket*..

A Microsoft spokesman stating they fund them isn't good enough? You sound like a Democrat saying the sarin shell we found isn't enough evidence of WMD.

[Woodman]

Bush2000 "So what. Bill Gates donates money to a lot of organizations. Bill Gates ain't Microsoft."

What I was trying to point out was your blind acceptance to their misplaced FUD over Bill Gates being a substantial personal contributer to the organization. The fact is that the group in question is a United Way fund not related to the organization at all. I am beginning to wonder if the confirmation from the MS representative may have even been a misunderstanding. Maybe, just maybe he checked the corporate records and saw the name "Alexis de Tocqueville Society" and thought both were one and the same as well.

To quote Mulder "The Truth is out there" and "Trust but verify"

BTW Yes I do occasionally fish, but I'm more inclined to hunt...

[Mannaggia l'America]

NT stole liberally from IBM's OS/2. And that is largely what it was crafted on. Whatever else they did to attempt to model other parts after VMS isn't surprising; but, I wouldn't say it's based on VMS.

It would make sense that it had some things based on OS/2. Microsoft wrote OS/2 initially, not IBM.

But read the article I linked to. NT has much more in common with VMS, since the lead designer on both OS's were the same person.

[antiRepublicrat]

Linus admits AdTI is right!!! From LinuxWorld:

"Ok, I admit it. I was just a front-man for the real fathers of Linux, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

"They (for obvious reasons) couldn't step forward to admit that they had gotten bitten by the computer bug, and had been developing a series of operating systems on their own during the off season. But when they started with Linux (which they originally called Freax - they do feel like outsiders, you know, and that's a whole sad story in itself), they felt that they could no longer just let it languish in obscurity. They started to look for a front-man, and since Santa Claus is from Finland and thus has connections to Helsinki University, and the tooth fairy claimed 'He's got good strong teeth,' I got selected."

"Since then," Torvalds continues, "I've lived a life of subterfuge, always afraid that somebody would find out the truth. I'm actually relieved that it's over, and that the Alexis de Tocqueville Institute has finally uncovered the lie. I can now go back to my chosen profession, the exploration of the fascinating mating dance of the common newt."

[N3WBI3]

Hey If I screwed up, sorry I will dig around some more. But I doubt a contribution from MS is on the order of 10$ it would be a waste of money for them to give something so small..

[N3WBI3]

Silly rabbit did you really think GE was ever going to back up anything he says..

You know his MO make an outrageous claim, you answer it he pics on sentence in your post and uses it to make another outrageous claim never addressing the holes in his first one..

[Woodman]

Fair enough... If MS contributed to the ORG I would expect it to be somewhere in the tens of thousands of dollars. I'm just starting to suspect that this whole episode may be a major FUBAR in communications laced with too many assumptions and prejudices.

[N3WBI3]

Lets assume it is in the tens of thousands. Do you not think that is enough to at least examine close the data produced? But the problem is typically such fud articles do not give you the text of the interviews or the numbers involved..

[N3WBI3]

fudge.packer n

a. One who works in a candy packaging plant.
b. Bush2000.

[Petronski]

Bill Gates ain't Microsoft.

That statement is patently absurd.

[Bush2000]

A Microsoft spokesman stating they fund them isn't good enough? You sound like a Democrat saying the sarin shell we found isn't enough evidence of WMD.

Again, there's a big difference between a nominal donation and providing material support for this guy. Which is it? You don't know -- but that hasn't stopped you from implying it's the latter.

[Bush2000]

Lets assume it is in the tens of thousands...

No, let's not. How about if you provide actual data on how much MS contributed, and then we can examine the implications.

[Bush2000]

fudge.packer n

Hey, keep me out of your fantasies. I'm straight.