Re: sysadmin won't allow linux - PLEASE HELP

[Matthew Garman <garman@uiuc.edu>]

On Wed, Jul 11, 2001 at 10:24:45PM -0700, Jaye Inabnit ke6sls wrote:
> On Wednesday 11 July 2001 16:33, Matthew Garman wrote:
> > I've been particularly mad about all this recently, having just read an
> > article about our Redmond boys' new licensing plan.  If I read the article
> > correctly, it said that on one of Microsoft's new products, their license
> > states that you cannot use their product with "viral" software.  They
> > define viral software as free software with open source licenses (in
> > particular, GPL'd software, and software with similar licenses).  They
> > literally cite Linux and Apache as examples of viral open source software.
> > Doesn't anyone else find this outrageous?  This is the same as saying you
> > can't wear hand-me-down pants with your overpriced Abercrombie & Fitch
> > shirt.  It's like a violation of your personal freedom.
> 
> I would really like that url or publication name. I am also getting very 
> irritated with the FUD&M$ camp_terror tactics. I have run across several 
> articles of late that called linux many silly (completely giggle loaded) 
> things. Yet, you are the first who has mentioned (yet another stupid) M$ 
> license where open source is coined as 'viral'. 

Yup, I figured a lot of folks might want to see that article.  Here it is:

	http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/stories/news/0,4164,2781989,00.html

Here's another link to the same article:

	http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/stories/news/0,4164,2781638,00.html

> I realize this is just the tip of the burg. Running linux could soon be 
> considered a crime in the US. . .

Well, if you believe in the increasingly more valid view that U.S. laws
are purchased by big business, then Linux could very well become criminal.
Given their current behavior, I wouldn't be suprised if Microsoft and
other software giants set up a huge anti-open source software lobby.  It
wouldn't be too hard to scare old congressmen by using words such as
"viral" and giving contrived examples on why open source software is bad.
And I'm sure MS has deep enough pockets to *buy* a few key votes.  Enjoy
Linux while you can!

Matt

-- 
Matt Garman, garman@uiuc.edu
"I'll tip my hat to the new constitution, Take a bow for the new revolution
 Smile and grin at the change all around, Pick up my guitar and play
 Just like yesterday, Then I'll get on my knees and pray..."
            -- Pete Townshend/The Who, "Won't Get Fooled Again"