Gentoo head to "educate" Microsoft on open source

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Source code isn't even needed

Don't let the fact that Gentoo's packages are mostly source code packages. Portage also does an excellent job at installing binary packages.

Portage is essentially a software on demand program. If MS is having an interest in Portage, it is probably to use it as a software on demand delivery service. It shouldn't be too difficult to add on what is needed to deliver proprietary packages for a one time charge or a fee.

In fact, now that I'm thinking this all the way through, perhaps that WOULD be the best delivery method for a software package being purchased through a monthly or yearly service. Just type in "emerge msoffice" to install or "emerge world -u" to update your system (oh wouldn't admins of large offices love that), or presumably there would be a GUI front end where you could just click to download. The software package would then walk you through the subscription process. MS could have their entire software catalog in their portage tree, and maybe for a small fee (!) allow other vendors to have their packages on the tree.

Posted by: Michael Kelly   Posted on: 06/16/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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