Sun plans to open-source Java--someday

TalkBack 40 of 48:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

(Reposting Message Because of Links)

?What makes you say that? Do you have any examples of open
source programs that have "forked many times over"? Let's see
now. Apache. How many times has that forked? Zero. Linux?
Zero. (Note: There are different distributions, but the Linux
kernel has never forked. Developers can use that kernel to build
a variety of different distributions, specialized for different
markets and purposes. That's how it is supposed to work.) The
last time I can remember an open source project fork was when
Jamie Zawinski released Lucent Emacs, which sparked a
controversy that lasted for years. ?

You?ve got to be kidding. Are you saying that just because the various Linux distributions have roughly 10% identical code (the kernel) in them, they are the same? (See general comparison of kernel vs. OS sizes for various OSs here to obtain a rule of thumb concerning kernel and OS sizes (http://www.base.com/gordoni/os-sizes.html).) Therefore variations in 90% of Linux code counts for nothing? (This link (http://moochers.com/LinuxSite/index.html?ldistros.html) proves my point that there is substantial variation of the Linux OS out there ? including embedded versions of Linux.)

Further, this other link shows varied OSs from different distributors (from IBM to Apple) that all use the Mach kernel (http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Mach-kernel).

Quite frankly, to say that forking does not occur in OSS is bending one?s view of OSS to a spectacular degree.

Posted by: P. Douglas   Posted on: 06/07/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Five Steps to Determine When to Virtualize YourServers VMware Server virtualization isn't just for big companies. Entry-level ... Download Now
• VMware Infrastructure: A Guide to Bottom-Line Benefits VMware Frustrated by the costs of maintain ever larger data centers?or building ... Download Now
• Three Steps You Need to Know to Stop Data Loss Varonis Sensitive data exposed to misuse or loss... it is the stuff of nightmares ... Download Now