Free Software Foundation - No To Microsoft & Novell Deal
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I’m confused. Isn’t Linux free, like in open source free. And if the word free and open source seem to be what Linux advocates all say is the best of both worlds, than how can a group say they own a part of Linux? I don’t get it.
Well that is what the Free Software Foundation seems to imply and they are going to try and stop deals such as the one between Microsoft and Novell. Seems back in late 2006 the boys in Redmond joined with Novell [Suse Linux] to play together in joint ventures, one of which turned out to be a Wal Mart deal. Which didn’t sit to well with some folks.
So now a new General Public License is being drafted which may prevent such deals such as the one that took place between Microsoft and Novell, and which could in theory, prohibit Novell from using future versions of Linux code. Which brings me to another question. Why doesn’t Microsoft just take the Linux code and come up with their own distribution of MS Linux?
If Linux is free, why hasn’t this happened? Microsoft could actually come up with a distribution that could also run their other software, like Office. Sounds like a great idea, so why haven’t they did it yet?
Comments as always welcome.
[tags] linux, microsoft, novell, open source, [/tags]
6 Comments
Paul
March 31st, 2007
at 9:57am
It’s a bit more subtle than the FSF banning Novell from selling Linux. By its very nature, you can’t “ban” ANYONE from using Linux as they choose - that’s the nature of the GPL.
However, the next version of the GPL (v3) may preclude any such code licensed from being included in future deals re patent deals like that between MS & Novell. IANAL, and this is a complex subject, so I may be missing out on some fine detail.
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/2007-03-28-gplv3-grandfather
has a short explanation.
Ron Schenone
March 31st, 2007
at 11:16am
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the link and also your comments.
Regards, Ron
marc klink
March 31st, 2007
at 12:13pm
MS could make MS Linux, but then they would have to comply with allowing anyone to modify the code which would, of course, have to be available. This whole thing would cause such a ruckus that the walls at Redmond campus would bleed!
Ron Schenone
March 31st, 2007
at 12:38pm
Hi Marc,
Good thoughts. But couldn’t Microsoft just not release the code? They are not known for playing by the rules.
purelabor
August 5th, 2007
at 11:00am
Microsoft won’t release code due to embarrassment. There lies the rub. how do you keep anyone from seeing the trash side of MS products?
Ron Schenone
August 5th, 2007
at 1:11pm
Hi purelabor,
Thanks for the comments.
Ron