Re: Oracle's GNU/linux distro is out. Free Software is blindsided.

[David Kastrup]

"Karen Hill" <karen_hill22@yahoo.com> writes:

> I was browsing oracle's website when I discovered a link to oracle's
> new GNU/linux distro.
>
> http://edelivery.oracle.com/EPD/GetUserInfo/get_form?caller=LinuxWelcome
>
> It looks like Redhat is being squeezed from all sides.  OpenSolaris on
> one end, with Novell and MS on the other, and Oracle undercutting their
> support pricing by basically rebranding Redhat's products and selling
> it as their own.  It looks like an organized effort by proprietary
> vendors to basically cut the throat of Redhat.  As we know, Redhat is a
> major contributer to the linux kernel.
>
> Maybe now is the time for GNU/Hurd?  The problem with the linux kernel
> is that it is not going to be as free as software licensed under the
> GPL 3.   Linus has stated that the kernel will remain at GPL 2, which
> is less free than the GPL 3 because of DRM and patents.

Correction: which is _more_ free than the GPL 3 because of DRM and
patents.  It is just that these particular freedoms can be used for
creating nominally GPLed software where the freedom to modify has
become a sham.

GPL 3 is less free than GPL 2, with the end result that code licensed
under it might retain freedom in more situations than under GPL 2.

It is, like the GPL 2, a compromise and tradeoff.

> Yet, the GPL 3 is very myopic license.  It shows a lack of vision by
> the FSF, maybe they are tiring or need new leadership.  They are
> fighting the previous wars and do not understand the next battle at
> all.

Well, Mr. Flatfish, now you are going fud again.  The FSF is rather
preparing for the future problems and people scoff at them because
they don't see the same sort of problems.  I wish the FSF would be
wrong more often in the long run than they, unfortunately, turn out to
be.

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum