Open-source honchos trash software patents, Feb 02, 2005

Two open-source leaders joined Linux founder Linus Torvalds in disparaging software patents Tuesday, the newest volley in a battle that pits the cooperative programming philosophy against Microsoft.

If Hummers and stock options are your career goals, then being an open source engineer may not be your calling. Then again, a job in open source software (OSS) development can provide meaningful work and a good living, said OS community leaders, including Linux creator Linus Torvalds

Linux creator Linus Torvalds defended the open source movement against critics who say that the so-called "community of communities" should band together or risk ending up like Unix.

Industry watchers claim Sun Microsystems is playing a dangerous game with its decision to position Solaris as open source – a move which will see it go head to head with Linux

International Business Machines Corp. has requested documents from Intel Corp., the world's largest chip maker, as it prepares its defense in a billion-dollar dispute with SCO Group Inc. over the Linux operating system.

VOIP provider Skype released final versions of its software for the Macintosh and Linux on Tuesday morning.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has stated in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel on the topic of the security risks of operating systems from virus attacks that Linux is "even more susceptible in many respects". But the German Linux Association is not about to let that statement stand. Elmar Geese, President of the Association, called Gates' claim a "demonstrable lie".

Ms. Farris says the company will achieve its objectives not by convincing potential customers to shift to Linux, but by focusing on those companies and organizations that already have Linux deployed and are looking for more applications or have a strategic initiative to adopt and move toward open source.

Elizabeth, who has had a computer since she turned two, has been running Debian since the time she was nine.

Going into 2005, Mandrakesoft is a company that has gone against everything that was predicted. It has survived the dot-com bust, become profitable and continues to frown on the idea of moving away from Free and Open Source Software development in favor of the proprietary approach

Bill Gates admits to letting Google grab the Web-search lead. Now that Redmond has fired up its own engine, he aims to change that

"One of the most important parts of any founder or leader's responsibility is to know when to step aside," Raymond said in a statement.

 View older news this year: Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
 View news from other years: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999