Open Sores

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Is open source / linux-for-users on its way out? I know the first, most commonly used argument for using the alternate to Windows (for the masses) was that linux, and its software, were free.

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-923039.html

I know the price still won't compare to the cost of m$ office, but is there slipping ground on the idealistic nirvana of anti-profit-ware?

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An update on the licensing of StarOffice (re: students):
http://www.sun.com/products-n-soluti...taroffice.html

[Chris]

I really don't think this is that big of a deal. OpenOffice is essentially StarOffice the way it was before (although I am taking their word for it on that since I haven't actually tried it yet).

Let's face facts, business wasn't jumping to move to StarOffice before, and I doubt they will now. I think that Sun is making a mistake with this decision, don't get me wrong, but as for the impact to the Open Source community, I don't see it as a big hit. The great thing about Open Source is that when one developer decides to get greedy and start selling a previously free/open source product, someone else steps up to the plate. A great example of this is ISS. The original freeware Internet Security Scanner evolved (or devolved) into a Commercial product, up pops Nessus, which is better in my opinion anyway.

Because Open Source is a USER controlled entity, it can't die unless we as developers and users let it die.

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A popular linux topic of late:
http://news.com.com/2100-1001-929394.html?tag=fd_top

RedHat won't play:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-929695.html

Frankly, I wish they would standardize more things, directory structure, rc scripts, etc between distros... just a small annoyance

[Chris]

Originally posted by c0nv3r9

Frankly, I wish they would standardize more things, directory structure, rc scripts, etc between distros... just a small annoyance

I have to disagree. If people want standardized cookie cutter crap they should buy windows. If the distros standardized everything, what would be the difference between them. It it would eventually come down to every Linux OS being Red Hat..which I could do without.

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I don't mean to the extent of each distro being the entirely cookie-cut; but when a function of the OS does the exact same thing, with no particular benefit of changing the method, why? It just makes it one more step, for the sake of?...

[Chris]

Well, if that is the case, which standard do you think should be adopted? BSD Style? SVR4? Red Crap's weird ass hybrid/proprietary style? The diversity of the distros is a strength of Linux in my opinion.

Slackware people like the way Slack is set up, same with SuSE, Red Hat, etc.. One of the benefits to the differing styles is the ability for most linux users to find one that they are comfortable with and run with it. If there was a more standard "requirement" for linux then those folks that didn't like that style (and judging from the diversity of distro sales there is no way to make everyone or even most happy) would be SOL.

$0.02

[converge]

I'll be the first to tear down the RedHat "style" (heh)... to say a specific distro should dominate a standard isn't the right answer either, considering the multitude of areas this could apply.

Using rc scripts as an example, I understand there a couple fundamental ways for accomplishing the task... my point is that I could really do without a different one for every distro... but then again, I do have control over the distros I use and agree to work on (for the most part)

For people trying to get into linux, I think it's probably a decent point of confusion. I guess I never equated it to being much of a "freedom of choice" vantage point..