Here's the beginning of a conversation, from a newsgroup populated by entrepreneurs:
(Microsoft + Novell) / Linux = Free BSD
This is an open question for the MORE informed in term of OS / LINUX / FreeBSD. We saw the debacle of SCO law suit about Linux in the last couple of years. Now Microsoft and Novel trump in on Linux again.
Is this the sign that it is time to move to FreeBSD?
Questions for the BSD knowledgeable people:
Will any of these stunts ever impact FreeBSD?
Was FreeBSD conceived form the beguiling on a solid foundation where software giants will not come up with a legal pact and find a way to tell you - "Hey you! -- You've used the free software for the last 5 years - here is the bill, pay it or get sued"
I do not mind supporting open source software for a few hundred bucks, but if we are forced to the multi-thousand dollar licensing with the commercial companies, it adds to the headaches of finding money to get a business off the ground.
(Microsoft + Novell) / Linux = Free BSD
This is an open question for the MORE informed in term of OS / LINUX / FreeBSD. We saw the debacle of SCO law suit about Linux in the last couple of years. Now Microsoft and Novel trump in on Linux again.
Is this the sign that it is time to move to FreeBSD?
Questions for the BSD knowledgeable people:
Will any of these stunts ever impact FreeBSD?
Was FreeBSD conceived form the beguiling on a solid foundation where software giants will not come up with a legal pact and find a way to tell you - "Hey you! -- You've used the free software for the last 5 years - here is the bill, pay it or get sued"
I do not mind supporting open source software for a few hundred bucks, but if we are forced to the multi-thousand dollar licensing with the commercial companies, it adds to the headaches of finding money to get a business off the ground.
I think there nothing to worry about having to pay more for using open source products. In fact, until the whole landscape settles (medium term), some prices may come down. For more info, check out the comments section.
2 comments:
Here's my reply:
The SCO lawsuit was aimed indeed at Linux, and Microsoft was indirectly supporting the Utah plaintiff wanting to hit on IBM and Linux.
The more recent Microsoft-Novell agreement speaks to a coming to terms of Novell vis-a-vis Microsoft, and Microsoft vis-a-vis open source, respectively. Such change of mind and heart has been enabled at Microsoft by its progress with OS virtualization. On the other hand, both Microsoft and Novell felt like Oracle's recent intentions to build/support its own open-source eco-system would leave them vulnerable.
All in all, such move cost Microsoft little and Novell made it too fast, unless things have gotten very ugly in Provo UT.
What's your take?
Worth reading is also Eric Savitz's Novell Open Letter Reminds Red Hat Exec Of Neville Chamberlain. Make sure you follow some of the pointers as well.
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