[FSF India] GNU/Linux vs Linux

[Vivekananda Prabhu]

Hi,

To the un-initiated both GNU/Linux & Linux look one &
the same. If you look at the source code or binary
executables it is the same. But if you look
philosophically at what these stand for they are East
& West.

GNU/Linux (Free Software) - Freedom first & other
benefits last

Linux (Open Source) - TCSA ( Technology, Cost,
Security & Availability of source code) First &
Freedom last

But both have a common enemy MS. Which will beat MS
Freedom or TCSA?

TCSA can never beat MS for the following reasons

1) Technology  & Security - MS can easily beat "Linux"
easily by ripping off technology from FeeBSD,
robustness from OpenBSD , Security from NetBSD & Aqua
from Apple & calling the new OS "GATES". This is not
hypothetical as MS has already stolen TCP/IP &
Kerberos from FreeBSD to become an effective
competitor to Unix/Linux (on the server side)

2) Cost - MS can make Windows free (gratis/cost)as it
did with IE to kill Netscape, if it starts feeling the
heat. It can keep Windows free (cost) for sometime to
kill Linux & then start charging sky high prices to
compensate the losses. Alternatively it can remove
it's new licensing scheme thereby allowing piracy to
thrive & kill Linux. That is how MS killed Lotus 1-2-3
, Word Perfect, Borland etc.

3) Availability of source code - People buy Windows to
run MS Office, they buy Windows for it's nice GUI &
not it's (un)stable kernel. In fact Kernel code is a
liability for MS not an asset ( considering
development, maintenance & testing costs)

I am not surprised if MS makes it's Kernel open source
(a la Apple Darwin). The signs are already there ( for
those who can see)

MS Craig Mundie attends Open Source ( not Free
Software) conference. In fact he is invited there to
attend FSF conference which he refuses to. Craig
Mundie sings paens for BSD licences while critisizing
GPL (subtly).

Contrary to what most people think MS is not stupid.
They are testing waters. If developers don't buy their
"Shared Source" vision they will eventually go with
Open Source (not Free Software) if that could cut
their development, maintenance & testing costs.

When that happens we will see Bill G. shaking hands
with Open source hot-shots (Co-World domination??).
Bill G. & ESR would be praising TCSA quality of Open
Source together. After some months we hear that MS is
making heavy-duty investments in VA, Read Hat etc.

After all Bill G. is a businessman. It doesn't matter
to him from where the money comes from Windows or
Linux as long as he gets to pocket it. Infact he
already *has* investments in Apple, Corel etc. (ex-MS
hate club)

So MS can beat "Linux" easily in TCSA area, but it
cannot beat GNU/Linux in "Freedom". If there is
something MS will never give us or (wish to) let us
have is "Freedom"

I hope this posting opens the eyes of "Linux" people
(who dream of beating MS using TCSA aspects of
"Linux") to the importance of "Freedom" (read
GNU/Linux)

But then I can wake only those who are *really*
sleeping not those who *pretend* to sleep

Regards,
Vivek


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