[wplug] Recent news: IBM's commitment to Linux

[Reany, Burt]

  Is it possible that such corporate software, which attempts to define or
enforce self-indulgent structures (and strictures) on linux,  will simply be
engineered around by cogent open-source devotees, and find their
self-limiting packages replaced by open-source versions of the same?  It's
an interesting intellectual property issue as to whether an open-source
group organised to implement a software solution that is similar to someone
else's proposed proprietary solution (prior to the release of the finished
proprietary product) has equivalent IP rights - or negates portions of the
vendor's IP rights under previous art.
  I'll enjoy watching it - and continue to have faith that our co-operative
software development model can handle the challenges of the proprietary
software world.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Hagbard Celine [SMTP:hceline at softhome.net]
> Sent:	Friday, February 16, 2001 1:26 PM
> To:	wplug at wplug.org
> Subject:	Re: [wplug] Recent news: IBM's commitment to Linux
> 
> > 
> > I suppose it is cool to see more people (and very powerful ones at that)
> > backing Linux, but one of the main reasons I got into Linux in the first
> > place was its anti-corporate orientation.  And obviously I don't just
> > speak for myself on that one.  I'd rather seen IBM back Linux than
> > Windows, but Linux always seemed to be doing ok without the big
> companies
> > (IBM, Dell, Compaq - everyone seems to be jumping on the Linux
> bandwagon).  
> > Anyway, just my $0.02.
> > -dgm
> > 
> My main concern with corporate backing of Linux is that it would lead to
> the
> corporate world trying to dictate what Linux does and how Linux does it.
> It
> has been my experience that when any corporation gets its hands into any
> private project, the project heads right down the toilet.  I hope Linux
> can be
> saved from that fate, but I'm not optimistic...
> 
> Hagbard
> 
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