China's Linux industry considers mega-merger

InfoWorld ^ | August 25, 2005 | Sumner Lemon

[N3WBI3]

OSS is just more advanced communism than we have ever seen on earth.

As I have said before, if OSS programmers are communist so are volunteers for the Boy Scouts..

[for-q-clinton]

As I have said before, if OSS programmers are communist so are volunteers for the Boy Scouts.

Really? How so? I don't see the connection, but I'm all ears to see how that logic works out.

[N3WBI3]

(1)

Volunteer for Boy scouts: With no monetary compensation spend their own time, money, and effort to enrich their own lives and or someone else's by doing something they enjoy.

OSS Developers: With no monetary compensation spend their own time, money, and effort to enrich their own lives and or someone else's by doing something they enjoy.

(2)

Volunteer for Boy scouts: Because they are involved in (1) They must hold to certain principles. They are bound by these for the duration of their work with the BSA.

OSS Developers: Because they are involved in (1) They must hold to certain principles. They are bound by these for the duration of their work with the an OSS Project.

(3)

Volunteers for Boy scouts: Because of (2) Many level political attacks on them calling them extremist and anti-american

OSS Developers: Because of (2) Many level political attacks on them calling them extremist and anti-american

(4)

Volunteers for Boy scouts: Without these people the BSA would likely fall apart and the function they serve would likely in part be picked up by people charging like babysitters, Day care centers, Summer camps, and other for profit ventures..

OSS Developers: Without these people OSS would likely fall apart and the function they serve would likely in part be filled by people charging like programmers here and in India.

[for-q-clinton]

Pretty good points; except, for the #4. Boy scouts is not a babysitter service.

So are your saying OSS is charity work? If so, try to deduct it on your taxes.

[N3WBI3]

Well maybe the summer camps, and other for profit after school activities (martial arts, ...) suffer..

Lol on the OSS Pings, Ill have to ask my accountant ;)

[for-q-clinton]

It just hit me one of the other items that make them inherently different. BSA sets rules on who can and can't join. Like no gays and they have to believe in a god (no atheists). OSS ensures everyone in the commune is allowed to use it.

Another charity may be a better example than the BSA.

[N3WBI3]

OSS ensures everyone in the commune is allowed to use it.

To help on a OSS project you have to agree the the license involved on that project, you have to share ownership of your code.

The people who might not join and OSS project but still use the code are like the little old ladies the boyscouts help cross the street in that I dont think BSA members ask them if *THEY* believe in God or are gay.. So long as the little old lady does not kidnap the boyscout (or in OS terms hijack the code) they can benefit..

[for-q-clinton]

Little ol' ladies is stretching it a bit. But I do agree most charities are "communist" in nature. Remember the ideals of communism and the end state...not the path it takes to get there.

Many have said communism is great on paper but fails in execution.

Also I don't see most charities working to provide value to businesses, but I guess you can stretch it to fit. So OSS is charity to China, IBM, UN, etc... Either way, it is an example of working communism. Maybe we can call it eco-communism to help differentiate between what most think of as communism (USSR) and what Karl Marx's end-state of communism is.