Simple, to break the SUN/SCO dominance of the *nix market, which they've now done by devaluing Unix IP to equate with freeware.
Posted on 08/06/2004 2:56:30 PM PDT by rdb3
But that's the great thing about Linux: it'll run practically anywhere. You have a choice of hardware, software and support vendors. I have a mix of HP, IBM, Gateway, Dell, Toshiba and Microtel here, everything runs Red Hat, and I can support myself.
As an aside, have you noticed that FR's spell checker does not recognize linux :D but has no problem with Microsoft?
I don't use spell-checkers. I don't need 'em. ;-)
Aha... well, FR does run on Linux after all.
IBM doesn't want to get in the hogpen of Linux business, and is using Red Hat and Novell to keep it's hands clean. The last thing they want is to have to pay a $500 million dollar fine to Eolas for a browser patent like Microsoft did. They will continue to use Red Hat and others as a proxy for selling their hardware, which leaves Red Hat and Novell exposed to these suits. Once a few start kicking in (those owning the patents are in no hurry now, simply waiting for higher Linux installed base numbers), it will force the Linux sofware companies to start charging more for their wares to keep out of the red.
Where IBM will first begin to threaten patent issues will be with other open source applications that compete with DB2 or WebSphere. We've already seen the threat open source databases pose to them, as well as IBM's willingness to sue other database vendors for patent infringement.
Well, That's an interesting opinion but IBM does make very reliable hardware and operating systems. True that what they produce such as OS/400 is proprietary but it is much more stable than open systems. And that is simply a statistical fact.
You can call it cheerleading but for every IBM bigot there are 10 times as many open systems bigots. And for the record there are things about both concepts which are useful. I would never exclude one and embrace the other.
Technology is like a salad bar, you take what you want and leave what you dont.
Cute. Good name I guess, as Groklaw is usually writing about SCO, a company trying to make a joke of the law.
It's two different things. Musicians are covered under copyright, while these engineers and inventors are covered under patent. But in both cases they receive royalties for their creations/inventions being played/sold.
I guess engineers should get themselves agents and producers.
F small business, long link monopolies..
I had IBM in here the other day pushing hard for a p series box running Linux (Because Oracle supports Linux)..
The primary purpose of my employer is to develop new software applications, which we do and so far no one has sued us for patent or copyright infringement. If we are violating other's IP, and we begin to grow in market share, they may let us know, at which point we would be obligated to legally settle the dispute.
No different than if you opened up a hamburger place right next to "McDonalds" and put up a goldem M but called it "McBurgers". According to you though, if McDonald's complained, they would be trying to "F small business" I guess.
Simple, to break the SUN/SCO dominance of the *nix market, which they've now done by devaluing Unix IP to equate with freeware.
Problem is most engineers do their work for hire.
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