Sun's open-source gamble

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Neutrality of Linux.

Linux is owned by anyone who wants to exploit it. But it's controlled by big companies looking for cheap software.

Mr. Schwartz gets it, partly:
And I think when IBM acquires either Red Hat or Novell, I think the scales will fall from peoples' eyes and they'll also realize that neither of them are neutral.

The part he doesn't get: RedHat is partly a distribution system for companies that want to avoid legal liability. (RedHat also does many proprietary things to make money.) So why expect IBM to buy it?

I do think IBM will continue its interest in Novell, because unless curbed Novell could become threatening. IBM's leash will be constricting.


In short, control and not ownership.


By the way, notice that the biggest response from the interviewer came when Mr. Schwartz commented:

So when you assert that Linux is neutral, Red Hat is not neutral.

the excited answer:
I agree that Red Hat is not neutral, but I take some issue with that. There are a lot of Linux developments by Oracle or Cisco Systems or Topspin or Dell or IBM.


[A lot of Linux development is by IBM, etc.]

Old song I heard began, "Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes..."
Good to see true affection, even in a business publication.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 02/07/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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